Cinnamon Air: If you want to see Sri Lanka from the sky, skip the long road transfers and take Cinnamon Air — the island’s dedicated air-taxi service that connects Colombo with cultural, coastal and wildlife hotspots in short hops. Launched in 2013, Cinnamon Air operates a small, modern fleet of Cessna 208 Grand Caravan aircraft (including amphibian models), runs scheduled daily services and also offers private charters and scenic flights for travellers who want to turn transit into the highlight of the trip.

Where they fly — quick hops to the island’s highlights

Cinnamon Air’s route network is designed for convenience and for great aerial views. Key scheduled destinations include Colombo (Bandaranaike), Kandy, Sigiriya, Koggala, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Batticaloa and a number of river/lakes waterdromes such as Nuwara Eliya (Lake Gregory) and Castlereigh — plus coastal river landings near Bentota and other south-coast points. The airline’s destination page and route map make it easy to see how these hops stitch together a fast island itinerary.

These short flights turn multi-hour overland transfers into 20–60 minute experiences: for example, the Colombo–Sigiriya hop is marketed as about a 30-minute flight, saving several hours on the road and delivering aerial views of the cultural triangle below.

The fleet — small planes built for island work

Cinnamon Air relies on the Cessna 208 family — specifically Cessna 208 Grand Caravan variants — with a fleet that typically consists of three aircraft: two amphibian (seaplane) Cessna 208s and one wheeled Grand Caravan. The amphibious capability is what makes Cinnamon Air special in Sri Lanka: those planes can operate from both runways and water aerodromes, letting you arrive directly at lakes and sheltered coastal waterways that no ordinary airline serves.

The Cessna 208 is a single-engine turboprop designed for regional hops. In Cinnamon Air’s configuration the cabins are small and intimate — usually seating around eight passengers (Cessna 208s are commonly fitted to carry 8–9 passengers depending on configuration) — so expect boutique, up-close flying rather than large-airline service.

Fares and schedules — what you’ll pay

Cinnamon Air publishes seasonal schedules and fares on its website; pricing varies by route, season and whether you book a scheduled seat or a private charter. Scheduled air taxi fares are typically marketed as single-segment, per-passenger prices and the airline runs seasonal “summer” and “winter” schedules with corresponding fares and daily frequencies. For the latest timetable and route-by-route fares check their schedules & fares page.

To give you a concrete sense: Cinnamon Air has run promotional single-seat fares such as a Kandy ↔ South Coast seasonal offer priced around USD 160++ per passenger (promotions will vary by season), while other short hops commonly fall into a similar low-hundreds USD range per seat depending on length and demand. Private charters and scenic flights are priced separately and rise with aircraft time and customization. Always check the official fares page or contact the airline for up-to-date pricing and offers.

Types of service — scheduled, scenic and private charters

Cinnamon Air’s public schedule covers the most popular inter-destination hops timed to connect with international arrivals and local itineraries. Beyond that, they operate scenic flights (aerial tours over coastal and cultural sights) and luxury private charters — ideal for honeymooners, photographers or itineraries that require door-to-door speed. Chartering gives you access to almost any domestic aerodrome or waterdrome in Sri Lanka, which is especially useful for remote lodges and safari camps.

Time factor

Traveling with Cinnamon Air offers remarkable time savings compared to road travel in Sri Lanka. While drives from Colombo to Sigiriya or Trincomalee can take 5–6 hours, Cinnamon Air covers the same routes in under an hour. Its network of airstrips and waterdromes connects key destinations like Kandy, the Cultural Triangle, and the southern beaches quickly and comfortably. Whether for business or leisure, passengers can save 4–8 hours per journey, turning long, tiring transfers into scenic, effortless flights — and gaining more time to enjoy the beauty of Sri Lanka.

What to expect onboard

Expect a short, efficient flight rather than full inflight service. Flights are brief (most under an hour), cabins are intimate and luggage allowances are smaller than on mainline carriers — check the “useful information” and pre-flight pages for baggage limits, prohibited items and boarding procedures. The amphibious aircraft add the novelty of a water landing at selected destinations — a memorable arrival that’s become a signature experience for many visitors.

How to make my booking?

The official Cinnamon Air website — www.cinnamonair.com — serves as the digital gateway to Sri Lanka’s premier domestic air taxi service, offering travelers quick and convenient access to flight bookings, schedules, destinations, and fare details. The site is elegantly designed for ease of navigation.

Practical tips

• Book early in peak season: with just a handful of seats per flight, popular segments can sell out.
• Check seasonal schedules: Cinnamon Air runs summer/winter schedules with differing frequencies and fares.
• For scenic views, choose a window seat on the side that faces the coast or landmark you want to photograph — flight times and routing determine which side is best.

Final word

Cinnamon Air fills a unique niche in Sri Lanka — part commuter, part scenic-service, part boutique travel operator. For travellers short on time or eager for spectacular aerial views and water landings, it converts long road journeys into fast, scenic hops and can be a highlight of any Sri Lankan itinerary. For schedules, routes and exact fares, consult Cinnamon Air’s official site and booking pages before you go.

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