An -124, Boeing 737 land at MRIA

18 October 2018 11:12 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The world’s second largest cargo aircraft Antonov An-124 Ruslan and the twinjet passenger aircraft Boeing 737 landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Airport Manager Upali Kalansuriya said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Kalansuriya said the Antonov cargo aircraft touched down for refuelling and for a rest for the crew.

Mr Kalansuriya said, there were nineteen crew members onboard. The aircraft landed empty.

“It is an iconic to have the world’s second largest aircraft at MRIA and it is the second time that this aircraft arrived in the country. The aircraft arrived last afternoon from Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport, Saudi Arabia and had left for Indonesia at 3.27 a.m. today,” he said.

The An-124 is the second largest production aircraft in the world, manufactured between 1982 and 2014. This aircraft is specifically designed for carrying heavy and bulky loads for long-range delivery and air-dropping heavy or bulky cargo, including machines, equipment and troops.
This same aircraft landed earlier on July 31 at MRIA for refueling and crew rest.

On April 19 the world’s largest cargo aircraft Antonov An-225 Mriya landed at MRIA. That aircraft arrived from Kuala Lumpur and left for Karachi, Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft landed at MRIA on Monday (15).

The aircraft arrived with a group of 56 tourists from Kerala and had scheduled left for Muscat this morning. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 24

Namal Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:40 AM

Air plane landing in an airport is a headline of national news, what a pathetic situation.

Kumar Muscat Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:12 PM

Because it is the only airport in the world where no scheduled air crafts to land or takeoff.. funny

vini Thursday, 18 October 2018 04:03 PM

When the Antonov 225 landed at Perth Australia, it was international news. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdF_Dr76F_gSo it is not a pathetic news as you suggest.

Dhammika Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:45 AM

Some relief to hear and see aircraft movements IN and OUT of Mattala. GOOG LUCK ! .

Gamage Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:49 AM

World's only airport that landing an aircraft is a news !

rohan Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:59 AM

What is so big deal about B737 aircraft landing in MRIA?This is a very small aircraft that can land in 7000 feet runaway. During IPKF in Sri Lanka this type of aircrafts landed in Jaffna and Rathmalana. This aircraft is quite popular in short haul flights.

Ajith Perera Friday, 19 October 2018 02:35 AM

You are nuts Rohan.

Ramesh Friday, 19 October 2018 11:16 AM

You are correct Rohan

Dave Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:06 PM

Pull out the dusty red carpet people 2 air crafts have landed at an air port. Lol. When there are thousands of air crafts arriving or departing other air ports around the world we had 2 landing at mattala. What a record. Is that idiot of an air port manager proud of this. I wonder what the staff do all day. Specially air traffic controllers. Maybe they clear all the birds for landing. Can the air port manager let us know when the next air craft is scheduled to arrive.

PJ Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:08 PM

"the world’s largest twinjet passenger aircraft Boeing 737 landed .."Ops737 is one of the smallest of Boeing portfolio.Largest twinjet would be 777-10

Dee Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:41 PM

The two who commented negative has to be from medamulana. Anything that's in the air other than a bird or kite is a 'massive aircraft' just like the 'massive highways'!

Arnold Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:09 PM

Next in the news "MRIA staff making strange rumbling noises from the restroom".

gala133 Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:36 PM

It is nice to know that the airport is in use.

goonbag Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:04 PM

too bad the plane is not large enough to carry away Sri Lanka's debt

Dee Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:24 PM

Wow. Great news. Congratulations MR. A historic moment. A 737 landing in the middle of nowhere.

Ajja Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:55 PM

Good..Please don't abandon her.We will realize her value in time to come.She has got cornered in the society because of petty jealousy political leadership.

hello Thursday, 18 October 2018 02:05 PM

Mattala ,what a asset to mother lanka,this is not such a inferior airport to dump paddy

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 18 October 2018 04:25 PM

Leave inferior or not aside, can u tell me what usefulness and income it brings from the amount investment spent on it? Bcos we have majority fools like u, this country is suffering.

Kamal Thursday, 18 October 2018 07:31 PM

It is a liability not a asset yet..

Ramu Saturday, 20 October 2018 07:30 PM

Soon it will be an asset if ranil won't able to sell it

senaa Thursday, 18 October 2018 08:01 PM

those arrivals show others too,this is worthy,safer airport to obtain their requirements ,welcome airlines at mattala,Srilanka

Buffalo Thursday, 18 October 2018 10:53 PM

Did it come to carry Ranil's paddy to bring valuable foreign exchange to the struggling CB !

Tinkiriya Friday, 19 October 2018 12:25 AM

Its nice to see the odd airline land and take off from MRIA because this sweeps the runaway from dirt and debris for free.

Til Saturday, 20 October 2018 09:33 PM

I don't say there was no corruption,but this is worthy effort,though stole,public money,it seems ,last government have done this perfectly,even largest plane too can easily land.I think you remember there was allegation against gamini dissanayaka, who was then mahaweli minister earned so much, he bought even large apple plantation in Australia

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An -124, Boeing 737 land at MRIA

Comments - 24

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