Flights from BIA via Mattala

12 February 2013 12:03 pm - 88 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Operations at Sri Lanka’s second international airport in Mattala will begin on March 18 with the three days a week SriLankan airline flights from the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to Riyadh via Mattala.

A presidential secretariat spokesman said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had on Monday instructed officials to make arrangements to launch international flights on March 18. On the same day the Chinese Eastern Airlines will fly from Shanghai to the BIA via Mattala. Its flights are scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays.

He said there would be another flight from Colombo to Beijing via Mattala operated by the China Eastern Airlines and to Male from Katunayake via Mattala by SriLankan Airlines while Mihin Lanka will fly to Budhgaya via Mattala on Saturdays and Sundays.

The spokesman said discussions had been held on developing the BIA. He said a modern aircraft maintenance apron and pilot training unit would be set up at Mattala and special transport network would be in place to travel to and from Mattala for air passengers.

The spokesman said prestigious international carriers have been invited to fly to Mattala on an open skies policy without any binding obligations or regulations as we needed to market Mattala and divert a part of international flights to Mattala to avoid the increasingly congestion at BIA.

Huge concessions have been offered for international airlines that use Mattala with discounts for ground handling. The government had already talked to several leading airlines to motivate them to use Mattala, he added. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 88

Maha Rajanani Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:42 AM

Be positive.

Ravi Wednesday, 13 February 2013 07:42 AM

Double the cost, waste of valuable time and big blunder.

yaseen Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

every end of d year srilankan airlines management says we r on loss. ..if they r on loss. y r they gona do follish thing like landing at mattala and then come to BIA via DM Android App

ase Wednesday, 13 February 2013 07:36 AM

he nishan,
how many take offs and landing do we have ? do not just talk things with out knowing the facts, capacity,handling may i ask you how much and many experience do you have any way ???? what do yo mean with" any country need secound air port", solution, another runaway not an air port. why do you want to buy A COW FOR A GLASS OF MILK FOR DAY ??

den Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

aiyo salli via DM Android App

Mutu Wednesday, 13 February 2013 07:08 AM

How about "Pittala" junction too? Very close to Temple Trees.

Despaluwa Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:58 AM

You cannot compared Heathrow to Katunayake..

The move is definitely a cost for Sri Lankan Airlines. However, if the government wants to make Mattala recognize and profitable in the future, this step is vital. But I would suggest another few options...

1.) Operate few Mihin Lanka flights from Mattala - probably to India and Middle Eastern destinations.

2.) With the boom in tourists arrivals, try to get some Charter flights to Mattala, carrying groups of tourists..

Musthafa Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:52 AM

iT IS GOOD SING. I DO NOT WHY SRI LANKAN DISCOURAGE SUCH MOVE IN DEVELOPMENT.

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:51 AM

Sounds like another world's first: take-off from one airport and landing in another airport after 15 minutes of flying thus burning expensive aviation fuel, wasting time of the crew and the passengers.

edward Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:53 AM

This airport another Chinese work ,time to time will need repairs and flights get canceled too

SudhuPancha Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:50 AM

shaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we can now fly from BIA to mattalla in a A320/330/340.
how much is the ticket?
What rapid development!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

leela Wednesday, 13 February 2013 08:03 AM

Cabin crew has no time to sit even.So fix a pole to the roof to hold like SLTB bus

Kodithuwakkuarachchi Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:35 AM

Of all the cities in the world why Riyadh?

DO they want to send more housemaids from Hambanthota to Saudi?

Pol Pot Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:30 AM

Parangiya Kotte ekka giya vagey

kay parker Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:09 AM

Kandy the plane make a stop in Kandy

Maximus Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:11 AM

Haha, good one!!!

stupid Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:58 AM

He can make Mihin and Sri Lankan airlines fly there but other international airlines won't take this stupidity. He must be dreaming of making Hambantota the capital city of Sri Lanak!!

Jamis Banda Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:54 AM

I am from Buttala !!!!!!1

Riz Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:50 AM

i will go to Mattala if i get 50% off on my tickets lol

Nodrog Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:46 AM

Soon everything will be located in H'tota. Move now before property prices rise.

Dee Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:35 AM

himin!

buruwa Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:21 AM

This will further increase Sri Lankan AirLines loss. Luckily still some foreign passengers use BIA as a transit airport & this is purely foreign income. Having 2 airports will delay their journey time & will be distracted from flying via Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Sri lankan isn't a reliable Airline compared to other international carriers. They have limited resources & have to give priority to Poltician's requests. Because of last minute seat cancellations occurring frequently, foreign nationals don't have much trust on Sri lankan Airlines. Added burden on HIA will make the situation worst.

Osman Monday, 15 April 2013 04:21 AM

Bodhu is a very sacred word. Hence Bodhu Bala Sena should

be read as BORU BALA SENA.

Pannipitiya Wednesday, 13 February 2013 02:11 PM

I hope the Colombo Badulla Udarata Menike Train doesn't do a stop at Mattala.

Aadil Ameer Wednesday, 13 February 2013 02:00 PM

If this continue ppl in Srilanka will have to eat bathala...............

Nodrog Wednesday, 13 February 2013 01:35 PM

yes a second airport is a good idea but not if its in the middle of nowhere. You may change your tune once you have to waste time landing there.

Nodrog Wednesday, 13 February 2013 01:24 PM

We're still waiting to see how the port is going to work out.

Shevon Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

This is pure abuse of power via DM Android App

Raja Raju Wednesday, 13 February 2013 01:08 PM

Well done. Keep the hope.
Russians, Chines, North Koreans, Cuba and Kazakhstan flights will land here with their tourists.

Muhammad Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

This will lead to develop domestic air service, also having a second international air port is an added advantage for a small strategic country like Srilanka. via DM Android App

Kodithuwakkuarachchi Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:45 PM

What congestion?

BIA is one of the least crowded airports I have ever traveled through.

buruwa Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:20 AM

Hey Nishan,

Are you telling to compare BIA with HIA ( apples to apples) & equally divide flights between BIA & HIA?

Dee Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:34 AM

can we first have some proper ships(instead of RORO vessels and fishing boats) to use the already inaugurated Hambantota port.

eddie Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:16 AM

There is a difference between
being positive and being realistic

Dave Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:13 AM

:)

Dinesh Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:12 AM

@ ranish Have 2 Airports is not like have two trousers it includes lot of cost unless other wise it generate an income cover the maintainece cost.

Dave Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:08 AM

You couldn't be more correct. You did forget to include that all the aviation fuel is paid off by our Tax Payers & the IMF. Do Tax Payers & IMF Officials get this (unwanted) additional sector free? In the same light, do the ba****ds who run the country (like a public lav) have to pay additional amounts - no... I forgot that, that too will ne incurred by the Tax Payer.

Dave Wednesday, 13 February 2013 11:07 AM

Increasing congestion at BIA? There should be as it serves the capital (as are all the main airports in the world that serve capital cities!!!) BUT the irony is that IT IS NOT congested!!!

Rohan1 Wednesday, 13 February 2013 10:50 AM

Carrying 100s of people - the Presidential tour party is usually in that size. So, too many trips are intended!

Ann Wednesday, 13 February 2013 10:26 AM

Absolute stupidity. The normal 5 1/2 hour Riyadh sector will take 8 hours now. What is the gain? Loss to the passengers and coffers.

Richardson Wednesday, 13 February 2013 10:18 AM

When planes fly over Colombo from K atunayake, with out going to Mattala and coming back, Can't we open the door and jump in Beiry Lake ??

NA Wednesday, 13 February 2013 10:20 AM

i am from Nuwar Eliya, i can reach 1/2 an hour earlier to my home.....i hvae to use this facility b'coz billions of Rupees invested.

Newman Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

Why not stop at every bus stop? via DM Android App

lankaputha Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:39 PM

how many flights does Bia handles on the busiest day please. If some one knows, please respond.

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:32 AM

Another White Elephant

Nishan Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:30 AM

Hey Bigsam,
Please compare apples with apples. You cant compare those airports which you mentioned with BIA. BIA got limited resources and ground handling staff is doing their best with what they got.
Any country need second airport and who ever think does not need maybe not knowing the facts.
You have to generate traffic in order to market new airport. So no point of jumping around without giving solution.

sl Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

Why did not think about expanding BIA instead of putting all investments in a particular area. Because all people contribute to pay off foreign loans. via DM Android App

ab Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:00 AM

Did authorities do a cost benefit analysis before starting this venture using public money. Why did not think expanding BIA using this money. is there a profit from this big project to pay back big loans. via DM Android App

onlooker Tuesday, 12 February 2013 11:25 PM

Reminds of how Parangiya went to Kotte.

Goson Tuesday, 12 February 2013 11:12 PM

One flight every 20 minutes.
In London Heathrow; every 1 minute a flight .....

dava Tuesday, 12 February 2013 04:08 PM

Was this really necessary?
It would have been more viable to have a few domestic air ports around potential cities, which would have been useful for tourism, and trade. Specially if tourism was increasing.
In this investment at Mattala... Is only a white elephant.
Costs, and delays further will aggravate.

So again the government couldn't invest wisely...

IRC Rathana Tuesday, 12 February 2013 03:59 PM

Bodu baala sena will ask the president to stop at kalutara bodhiya on the way to mattala to put panduru.

Aadil Ameer Tuesday, 12 February 2013 03:38 PM

Awesome saying Man..... Can u also stop at Wattala..................hahahahaha..............

Andy Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:36 PM

rather than apey kattiyawa 134 bus route ekey anthima halt ekey bassala, 15 min vithara idala awa nang hondai.

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:37 AM

An Airport With No Aircraft In Sight

Jaela Man Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:26 PM

Can you please also stop at Wattala?

Game Bandara Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:21 PM

Does not make sense financially or otherwise. So we use Wide body passenger aircraft to hop between a City and a Town 15 to 20 minutes apart by air before embarking on a transcontinental journey.
Wear and tear
Landing costs/ service charges
Fuel costs
ground handling costs
Passenger revenue??
Delays?

Another stupid move by a stupid government elected by stupid people and run by the stupid MR brothers.

Anuradha Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:00 AM

if we wanna see HIA is running.. we have to shift some routes from BIA. via option is not gonna work.. as theres no much passengers to and from. via DM Android App

ranish Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:00 AM

I'm referring to 6 comments on this article. this gives an indication of the readers. very poor analytical skills. I'm not a supporter of this government but having a second airport is a good idea I guess. via DM Android App

007 Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:37 PM

A waste of fuel. How many will embark or disembark from Mattala. No wonder the IMF is not lending money. I hope we are not on the Greece pole.

ss Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:35 PM

a solution seeking a problem?

Hasitha Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:37 PM

Pissu dubble

bigsam Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:31 PM

Congestion at BIA? What are you talking about - some of these jokers dont seem to have been to an international airport like Heathrow, Amsterdam or Singapore. And as if flights aren't delayed enough already. How many passengers are they going to pick up from Mattala?

buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:29 PM

Only for a few months, in the end when the airlines feel the loss, the obvious that happend to Hambantota Port is bound to happen.

salla baby Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:00 AM

let's wait and see how its work. via DM Android App

Gihan Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:40 AM

ela ela .... to do some shopping i guess

Mohan Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:26 AM

Each landing and take off burns 4000 gallons of Jet fuel. Each gallon cost 400 rupees. With additional cost for off route to Saudi and Bodh Gaya Each land at Mattala costs additional 2 million rupees. At the moment each day Sri Lankan and Mihin looses 50 Million rupees. Now the loss going to be 54 million rupees.(two landings per day in Mattala)

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:13 AM

Very Soon Mattala Will Be Rated As The Busiest Airport In Asia, Better Than Changi In Singapore.

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:08 AM

Very Soon There Will Be Airports In All 9 Provinces.

Bimbo Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:05 AM

What a sad state of affairs. Can imagine the level of education of the bum suckers in the cabinet including VASU.

merandy Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:05 AM

Beijing not Beiging (Graphic)

Josh Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:07 AM

which airline in their right state of mind would travel an additional 200km and land and take off for nothing??

Huna Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:55 AM

correct, this is what they should have been done

POOR citizen Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:50 AM

so the president makes business decisions!

make note... soon all flights will have to take off from Matala.

or they will double handling and airport taxes in BIA and have it fully free in Matala.

SL airlines is already operating at a loss so now they also have to bear additional fuel costs. it is because of irrational decisions like this that investors are very cautious about sri lanka (except for the chinese - to whom this is pocket money)

Madhatter Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:43 AM

Even Malaysia, which has more tourists than us has only one international airport. It would have cost much less to expand BIA. There is enough space around it!

aynzan Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:40 AM

You got to be kidding!!..he! he! he!

Kamal Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:20 PM

hmmm... that means a very short 9may be 10-15 minutes) from BIA to Mattala & Mattala to BIA each way on all of theose flights

MountainLion Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:25 AM

Yes, you compare Apples to Apples, Air Port to Air Port and Pin Heads to Pin Heads. Eat some Tuna from weerawansa.

sach Wednesday, 13 February 2013 04:18 AM

A smart move by the gov to make whitelephant Mattala airport to look like a profitable venture. aney mage rata.

sach Wednesday, 13 February 2013 03:40 AM

Does BIA operate to the maximum level in its capacity?

malkanthi Wednesday, 13 February 2013 03:38 AM

Good luck China you are basically dictating terms based on large investments, soon this piece of land will belong to you.

chandler Wednesday, 13 February 2013 01:27 AM

Flight steward - Please be ready for taking off. By the way get ready for landing as well.

mohan Wednesday, 13 February 2013 01:00 AM

they should put Express train (checked in passenger only ) between Matara terminal to Colombo terminal . it's most economical and most practical way .

disgusted Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:59 AM

i could not have put it any better.

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:49 AM

A Person going To India First Have To Fly From BIA To Mattala. What A Madness.

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:42 AM

In Future We Will Have More Airports Than Aircraft

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 13 February 2013 12:40 AM

Now We Can Daily Flights To Saudi Arabia, The Land Like No Other.

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Flights from BIA via Mattala

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