FitsAir
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Sri Lankan low-cost airline and aviation-services company operating scheduled passenger, charter and cargo-related services.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
FitsAir is a Sri Lankan low-cost airline headquartered in Colombo and operating under FITS Aviation (Pvt) Limited. The business is a subsidiary of Aberdeen Holdings, a diversified Sri Lankan group. It combines scheduled passenger flying with charter activity, cargo operations and aircraft-leasing services. Its commercial identity is expressed through the slogan “Friend In The Skies.” The company traces its origins to Expo Aviation, established in 1997, with operations beginning in 1998 using Antonov An-8 aircraft. Those aircraft were later replaced by Antonov An-12s. In the early 2000s the airline developed a domestic role, including service to Jaffna, and adopted the ExpoAir name. It subsequently operated a variety of aircraft, including Ilyushin Il-18s, Antonov An-26s, Fokker F27s, a Douglas DC-8 and, later, turboprop and Airbus equipment. Domestic aviation has remained an important part of the company’s history. ExpoAir began domestic operations to Jaffna in 2001 and relaunched scheduled service between Ratmalana and Jaffna in 2012 with a 12-seat Cessna 208 Caravan. It expanded its domestic network to Batticaloa in 2019, while scheduled Jaffna service resumed in February 2020 with ATR 72-200 aircraft. These services positioned the airline as a contributor to connectivity between Colombo and regional Sri Lankan cities. Alongside passenger flying, the business pursued cargo and aviation-support opportunities. In 2005 it applied for approval to operate international air-cargo services across a broad network covering South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and other regions. The company also developed an aircraft-leasing arm, using wet leases and dry leases to place aircraft with other operators. Historical leasing activity included aircraft associated with Pakistan International Airlines, Mihin Lanka, Air Mauritius, the United Nations World Food Programme and Dimonim Air. The FitsAir brand became associated with the company’s renewed scheduled passenger strategy. In 2021, the airline obtained three Airbus A320-200 aircraft on dry lease for passenger operations. On 5 October 2022 it ceremonially launched scheduled commercial service from Colombo to Dubai, marking a significant transition from its earlier domestic, cargo and charter emphasis toward regular international low-cost passenger flying. The Dubai service was subsequently operated daily from 26 March 2023, reflecting reported demand. Colombo–Chennai service began on 20 February 2023, strengthening the airline’s links with India. FitsAir’s international proposition centers on comparatively straightforward low-cost air travel from Sri Lanka, with Colombo serving as its principal base. Its network and operating plans have included destinations in the Middle East, India and other international regions, while charter and cargo capabilities broaden the company beyond a conventional scheduled passenger-airline model. The airline has also maintained interline arrangements involving Air Astana, APG Airlines and Hahn Air, according to the referenced airline material. The company’s development has therefore proceeded through several stages: aviation and cargo activity under Expo Aviation, domestic passenger operations under ExpoAir, aircraft leasing and charter work, and the establishment of FitsAir as a scheduled international passenger brand. It remains an active Sri Lankan aviation company, although detailed current information on ownership percentages, leadership, fleet composition and financial performance is not established in the supplied sources.
History
FitsAir began as Expo Aviation in 1997, with flight operations commencing in 1998. Its initial aircraft were Antonov An-8 transports, later replaced by Antonov An-12s. The business developed in Sri Lanka’s aviation market and was subsequently renamed ExpoAir. In 2001 it started domestic operations to Jaffna using Ilyushin Il-18 and Antonov An-26 aircraft. The company has been described as an early Sri Lankan aviation operator to meet relevant International Civil Aviation Organization annex certification requirements and as the first domestic airline certified by Sri Lanka’s aviation authority to begin flights to Jaffna. The fleet and operating model changed repeatedly during the 2000s. ExpoAir leased three Fokker F27 aircraft from Oman Air in 2002, added an Ilyushin Il-18 in 2003 and began cabin-crew training in 2004. In 2005 it sought authorization for international air-cargo services covering a large proposed network across South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and other markets. A Douglas DC-8 was added in 2006, while a Fokker 27 was sold. These activities indicate that cargo and aircraft utilization beyond scheduled domestic passenger flying were central to the company’s development. The company also operated an aviation-leasing business. Historical examples include the dry lease of an F27 to Pakistan International Airlines in 2005, a wet lease of a Douglas DC-8-63CF to Air Mauritius in 2006, and a dry lease of another F27 to Mihin Lanka in 2007. In 2008, a Beech Super King Air 200 was wet-leased from South Africa and sub-leased for United Nations World Food Programme activity in Sri Lanka. In 2014, an ATR 72-200 associated with FitsAir was leased to Indonesia’s Dimonim Air. The company has also been associated with an Airbus A320 wet-leased to Air Arabia Sharjah. Scheduled domestic passenger flying was relaunched in January 2012, when the airline operated Ratmalana–Jaffna flights with a new Cessna 208 Caravan. The 12-seat aircraft provided a short connection to Jaffna. Domestic operations expanded to Batticaloa in 2019. Service to Jaffna resumed in February 2020 with three weekly ATR 72-200 flights. The business then moved toward a larger scheduled international passenger operation under the FitsAir brand. In November 2020 it leased an Airbus A321 modified for cargo and used the aircraft on nonstop Dubai flights. In 2021 it obtained three dry-leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft intended for passenger operations. FitsAir formally began scheduled commercial passenger service on 5 October 2022 with Colombo–Dubai flights. The route later became daily from 26 March 2023. Colombo–Chennai service followed on 20 February 2023, and the airline reported passing 50,000 passengers in May of that year. FitsAir remains a subsidiary of Aberdeen Holdings and operates as a mixed aviation business rather than solely as a passenger airline. Its activities include scheduled domestic and international flights, charter services, cargo-related operations, aircraft leasing and interline relationships. The supplied reference material describes a network spanning Sri Lanka and selected destinations in the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia and Africa. It also records a planned Colombo–Lahore route beginning in January 2026. Detailed information on the airline’s current executives, financial results and precise present fleet is not established in the available material.
- 2023
India route and daily Dubai service added
[1]The airline launched Colombo–Chennai service and made Colombo–Dubai a daily route.
- 2022
Scheduled passenger brand launches internationally
[1]FitsAir began scheduled commercial passenger flights on the Colombo–Dubai route.
- 2020
Jaffna operations resume with ATR aircraft
[1]Scheduled service to Jaffna resumed with ATR 72-200 aircraft.
- 2019
Batticaloa is added to the domestic network
[1]The airline expanded scheduled domestic flying from Colombo to Batticaloa.
- 2012
Jaffna service is relaunched
[1]Scheduled Ratmalana–Jaffna flights resumed with a Cessna 208 Caravan.
- 2001
Domestic service to Jaffna begins
[1]The airline began domestic Jaffna operations and adopted the ExpoAir name soon afterward.
- 1998
Flight operations begin
[1]Operations commenced with Antonov An-8 aircraft, later replaced by An-12s.
- 1997
Expo Aviation is established
[1]The company that later became FitsAir was established as Expo Aviation in Sri Lanka.
Products and positioning
Sri Lankan low-cost airline combining scheduled domestic and international passenger services with charter, cargo and aircraft-leasing capabilities.
Air transportation · 2001
Scheduled domestic passenger flights
FitsAir has operated scheduled services within Sri Lanka, including routes connecting Colombo-area airports with Jaffna and Batticaloa. Domestic flying has used several aircraft types over time, from the small Cessna 208 Caravan to ATR 72-200 turboprops. These services form part of the airline’s role in linking Sri Lankan cities outside the principal international gateway.
Low-cost airline services · 2022
Scheduled international passenger flights
The FitsAir passenger proposition focuses on scheduled international flights from Colombo to selected destinations in the Middle East and India. The airline’s modern scheduled passenger phase began with Colombo–Dubai in October 2022 and expanded with Colombo–Chennai in February 2023. Airbus A320-200 aircraft obtained on dry lease supported this stage of development.
Charter and air cargo · 2005
Charter and cargo aviation
Beyond scheduled passenger flights, the company has operated charter services and cargo-related missions. Its historical activities included proposals for broad international cargo operations and the use of an Airbus A321 modified for cargo flights to Dubai. This business line reflects the company’s longer-standing role as a flexible aviation operator rather than only a point-to-point passenger carrier.
Aviation leasing · 2005
Aircraft leasing
FitsAir has maintained a leasing arm capable of wet-leasing and dry-leasing aircraft to third parties. Historical counterparties and users mentioned in the supplied material include Pakistan International Airlines, Mihin Lanka, Air Mauritius, the United Nations World Food Programme and Dimonim Air. Leasing provides an additional revenue and utilization channel alongside the airline’s own scheduled and charter operations.
Brand decisions
2023
Launch Colombo–Chennai serviceProduct launchBackground
After establishing its first scheduled international route, FitsAir expanded its network toward India.
Action taken
The airline started scheduled Colombo–Chennai flights on 20 February.
Aftermath
The route broadened the airline’s international passenger offering between Sri Lanka and South India.
2022
Launch scheduled Colombo–Dubai serviceProduct launchBackground
FitsAir sought to expand from its historical domestic, cargo, charter and leasing activities into regular international passenger aviation.
Action taken
The airline ceremonially launched its first scheduled commercial passenger flights between Colombo and Dubai on 5 October.
Aftermath
The route later increased to daily service from 26 March 2023.
2021
Build an Airbus A320 passenger fleetStrategyBackground
The company was preparing to develop a scheduled international passenger business under the FitsAir brand.
Action taken
It obtained three Airbus A320-200 aircraft through dry leases for passenger operations.
Aftermath
The aircraft supported the launch of scheduled commercial passenger services the following year.
Sources2 sources
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