Three flights diverted to Mattala

11 February 2016 07:38 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Two SriLankan flights and one FlyDubai flight scheduled to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) were diverted to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this morning due to heavy mist in the Katunayake area.

The duty manager for SriLankan Airlines said the FlyDubai (FZ) 551-Boing737 flight that arrived from Dubai was to land at 5.20 a.m at the BIA and it landed at MRIA at 5.52 a.m.

The SriLankan (UL) 869-A330-flight that arrived from Beijing in China scheduled to land at the BIA at 5.40 am and UL 218-A330 flight that arrived from Doha due to land at at 5.50a.m landed at the MRIA at 6.12 a.m and 6.20 a.m. respectively.

“However, arrangements were made to divert the fights back to BIA once the mist was cleared” the duty manager said. (Chaturanga Pradeep and T.K.G. Kapila)

Pix by Sanath Gamage

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Comments - 21

moodayoo Thursday, 11 February 2016 10:15 AM

Wow! Wonders of yahapalanaya, exactly like going to Madawachchiya instead of Kilinochchiya. Lol.

Reader Friday, 12 February 2016 10:42 AM

Doubtful whether Mattala can earn money before its useful life ends to repay hugh China loan.

Tania P Friday, 12 February 2016 08:40 AM

If Mattala is to be operated as a proper airport it must be able to attract more air traffic than a fee diverted airplanes due to emergencies that happen like this once a twice a year. But I doubt the location allows it to flourish. Reminds me of the Astrix episode named "Mansions of the Gods".

Prem Friday, 12 February 2016 07:16 AM

Not a fishing place anymore.

Tax payer Friday, 12 February 2016 07:07 AM

True.Need was a runway with control tower for landing not a fully pledged airport not necessarily at Mattala.

Ajja Thursday, 11 February 2016 06:06 PM

This is why I always belive having a spare wheel.... via DM Android App

onlooker Thursday, 11 February 2016 01:11 PM

Ravis budget is typical of this famous statement. Kiribati is not far behind

gamaya Thursday, 11 February 2016 11:10 AM

OMG! How come paddy storage yard become an air port which landed 3 air crafts together/ Miracle of Yahapalanaya.

Dinuka Thursday, 11 February 2016 10:43 AM

Exactly!

kan Thursday, 11 February 2016 10:36 AM

Kudos to MR!

RuwanL Thursday, 11 February 2016 10:19 AM

It is the high time that the government made use of the Mattala airport without blaming the previous government for creating it! We needed a second airport but should it be at Mattala? Its too late to change that decision. We have another airport make maximum use of it. We have to do it fast as the more we postpone its going out of tax payers money! Make the airport profitable!!

chamithroshanwijenayake Thursday, 11 February 2016 08:50 AM

Thanks for MR!

indika Thursday, 11 February 2016 10:12 AM

Why they have been landed on a paddy warehouse? Those should have gone to India Chennai Airport by paying high landing rates. What a funny Yahapalanaya! and afoolish team. Just to revenge from someone doing stupid things...

Sam Thursday, 11 February 2016 10:08 AM

Very true! Infrastructure built should never be wasted. It only needs innovative and far thinking management to make use of it. Trust that minister in charge has realized it.

G.M. Jayawardena Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:48 AM

This is contradictory news against the remarks of the transport minister made recently. If we did not have Mattala,then what? Who may suffer? The minister or the president or the prime minister or the others make critics about Mattala.

HotPot Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:46 AM

Mist at BIA! Yes, we had fog in Nugegoda. Where is ILS? Is this a joke ?

lapaya Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:46 AM

Yippee! Rejoice! Mattala is profitable at last.

Labba Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:45 AM

What? I thought this was a rice storage location.

BKVWHK Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:44 AM

Mattala is at a strategic location for tourism as well as for diverted flights from South India, Maldives and flights en-route to Australia or New Zealand from the west. Sometimes, vision (by its very nature) is not appreciated until 20 years later.

onlooker Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:19 AM

Yes, this is what Mattala was constructed for.

saman Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:14 AM

What?

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Three flights diverted to Mattala

Comments - 21

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