Airports not closed: Aviation Minister

The number of flights and passengers have been restricted

11 September 2020 07:36 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The airports in the country were not closed but the number of flights and passengers have been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka said today.

He told Parliament that required facilities at airports were kept ready and added that however, they would have to decide on the increase of the number of flights and passengers leaving and arriving the country on the recommendations of the health ministry and the Task Force of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

“There is an opinion that the airports in the country have been closed. No, we have not closed the airports. They are open even now. But, we have restricted the number of flights and passengers. All facilities at the airports have been kept ready. We have to decide on the number of flights and passengers on the recommendations of the health ministry and CORONA committee,” he said.

The state minister said the airports were not developed during the previous regime and added that Mattala airport was disregarded.

“The previous government could not complete the second terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport. We have been able to commence work on the second terminal within three months in office. We are able to handle only six million passengers at the BIA. We can double it after completing the second terminal,” he said.

The minister said steps have been taken to develop the Mattala Airport, adding that several aviation companies have agreed to develop it.

“We have taken several steps to develop the Mattala airport. We have reduced landing charges to zero while parking charges have been completely removed. We have invited airline companies to join us,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 12

Joshua Friday, 11 September 2020 08:01 PM

Ha haa, another joke. Talking of the obvious

Sokrates Friday, 11 September 2020 08:03 PM

No airline will come to a lonesome airport with a dangerous bird traffick and a name of a mass murderer.

vince Saturday, 12 September 2020 06:28 PM

A BIT MORE MEAT BY WAY OF EXPLANATION PLEASE

Waruna Friday, 11 September 2020 08:32 PM

Minister is incompetent to understand the situation that’s why he said airport is not close. Only Limited number of repatriation flights continue. Please keep close the airport for end of the year because it’s good for thugs and criminals to run the airport.

MK Friday, 11 September 2020 08:48 PM

H. M. CHANAKA. PLEASE VISIT TO DUBAI EMBASSY AND LOOK HOW WE GETTING THE TREATMENT AND ALSO NO SOCIAL DISTANCES OUT OF CONTROL WHY THESE EMBASSY STAFF NOT DOING ANYTHING IF DUBAI GOVERNMENT SEEN FINE. DHS. 50,000/- (SR. 2,50,000/- APROX) RECENTLY ONE FIRM FINED ABOVE AMOUNT. PLEASE INFORM THE EMBASSY STAFF TAKE MORE CAUTIOUS. THANKS

BigEars Friday, 11 September 2020 08:58 PM

Idiot. We all know the airport is open and not open for regular commercial flight. There is no padlock on the main door. Idiot again.

Ketheesh Waran Friday, 11 September 2020 09:18 PM

Airports are open but no incoming or outgoing flights or passengers Dear Minister, the term Open means Open to Commercial flights

SL in KSA Friday, 11 September 2020 10:10 PM

Having repatriation flights coming in doesn't mean that things are back to normal. I totally have to agree with you @Kethees Waran. Normal means we can come into the country as normal inbound passengers and leave as normal outbound passengers as well. Plus it is very easy to finish something that was already partially and say we finished it in 3 months.

Eichmann Bernhard (Germany) Friday, 11 September 2020 09:40 PM

Janaka Friday, 11 September 2020 09:54 PM

Don't know the meaning of open and not open we all know airport is open but airport is not open for the inbound passengers to arrive and only out bound is allowed for all the criminals to get away, what is this talking he is blind and deaf no international flights will land in mattala it will be a big risk and people in dangerous situation.

Pasan jay Friday, 11 September 2020 10:21 PM

What a foolish minister! Must be thinking people are stupid. If all incoming flights except for repatriation flights are not allowed then airport is good as closed. To listen to these imbeciles who people have elected to parliament makes my blood boil.

Ama Yatagama Friday, 11 September 2020 10:59 PM

Minister does not know the meaning of open air port. He might think gate is open means air port is open. Does not matter passenger flights are not allowed to land.

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Airports not closed: Aviation Minister

The number of flights and passengers have been restricted

Comments - 12

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