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Air Arabia flies to Mattala

3 March 2013 02:29 am - 42     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced that it has added its second destination in Sri Lanka with the launch of non-stop flights to Mattala.

The new route marks Air Arabia’s 84th destination worldwide. The inaugural flight G9508 will take off to Mattala on March 18, 2013.
The low-cost pioneer will operate two weekly services between Sharjah and Mattala, to be increased to four times weekly starting May 19 2013.
 
On Thursdays and Sundays, flights depart from Sharjah International Airport at 21:30 and arrives Mattala Hambantota International Airport at 03:45. Return flights on the will depart next day from Mattala at 04:25 and arrive in Sharjah at 07:35 (local time).
 
Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “Today’s announcement is a continuation of Air Arabia’s longstanding commitment to expand our presence in the Indian Subcontinent. Just a few months after our inception in 2003, we launched a direct service to Colombo, which was our first destination in the Subcontinent, and we are delighted to now add a second route to the country. Our new service to Mattala is in direct response to passenger demand, and while contribute to the trade and tourism ties between UAE and Sri Lanka.”
 
The launch of services to Mattala will complement Air Arabia’s existing nine weekly flights from Sharjah to Colombo. The airline currently offers daily flights to the capital city, and twice daily on Tuesdays and Fridays. (Emirates 24/7)

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  Comments - 42

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  • GC Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:17 PM

    Probably Mattala may become the SL airport for low cost airlines, just like the way many European cities have a small far away airport for such airlines that don't wish to pay the fees for full landing rights. So, the first move should be to relocate Mihin there.

    Ranjit Sunday, 03 March 2013 08:24 AM

    I like to see our VIPs flying from Mattala. MR and the ministers will take helicopter rides on state expense but other passengers will have to spend more than the airfare for transport to Mattala and back.

    raa one Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

    Thank God we have an AIRPORT in Mattala. Nowadays Katunayaka airport is full. Very very busy. Make more Airports. All the best sir. via DM Android App

    Nazeer Salih Sunday, 03 March 2013 08:57 AM

    Ticket fare from SHJ to CMB will be around Dh 475 to Dh 550, ie Rs 16,625/- to 19,250/-. Taxi fare if arranged through known source to Kandy Rs 22,000/-. Oh my god?

    Optimus Prime Sunday, 03 March 2013 09:28 AM

    its already is dude!

    Ronny Sunday, 03 March 2013 09:49 AM

    No, it should be called Rajapakses' International Port and in short R.I.P. The slogan should be "IT'S A WASTE OF PARADISE"

    Siril De Silva Sunday, 03 March 2013 10:05 AM

    I dont know why Air rib is cmmiing to Matale. I understand from inetnl sources from All Arab countries are going to Ban recruiting house maid froms SL . with in next 6 months.

    climbing Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

    hurrah! via DM Android App

    Dinithi Sunday, 03 March 2013 11:00 AM

    Clearly your sources are wrong.. :D

    Lion Sunday, 03 March 2013 11:09 AM

    it will slow down near traffic lights for you to jump off

    weha Sunday, 03 March 2013 11:59 AM

    And name it after him :P

    Selva Sunday, 03 March 2013 08:19 AM

    Open the airport for one flight and staff spend the rest time to catch flies

    Muthu Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:27 PM

    Good idea MLS. The runway should be named Mahinda Rajapassa runway.

    Toco Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:30 PM

    wow! its a great news for sri lankan students who fly with air arabia. i am also a univ student in bangladesh & we oftn use air arabia to get to bangladesh.

    Toco Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:39 PM

    what the hell is the connection between air arabia & housemaids. do you think that air arabia has only one destination.

    Saman Sunday, 03 March 2013 04:02 PM

    Rest of the time this could be a wild life sanctuary........and a lambo, BMW test dive park.

    Dolwatta Sunday, 03 March 2013 05:03 PM

    Air Arabia is the cheapest airline in the middle east. They don't server food. Even for a water bottle, you have to pay. Most stingy people use it,

    Senthil Sunday, 03 March 2013 05:58 PM

    eye catching airport.... but all the time its going to be fly catching for the staffs

    LankanFellow Monday, 04 March 2013 04:47 AM

    Hi dubai mohamed, Go by Bus...

    Burul Monday, 04 March 2013 06:43 AM

    Between your legs, Calistus.

    Hambanthotaya Monday, 04 March 2013 06:57 AM

    No matter low cost Airline. We need flights at Mattala at any cost.

    Mohamed Dubai Sunday, 03 March 2013 05:49 AM

    Dubai to Mattala Air Arabis ticket cost will be Rs.15750/- From Mattala to Matale taxi fare Rs. 20,000/-.

    Saman Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:05 AM

    Yes, in Wattala.

    mimi Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:16 AM

    Sad, we spend millions to build an unnecessary airport far away, and now a low budget airline has agreed to land there.
    Mattala is an unnecessary stopover and will take more time from a travellers schedule. Bad decisions as usual.

    ANTON Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:19 AM

    IS THIS THE FINAL FLIGHT ?

    Mushi Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

    It makes no difference for passengers in North and Est who have to hire vehicles expensively to get back home. via DM Android App

    kamal Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:57 AM

    Bodu Bala Sena might protest because its a Halal flight

    Hdiran Sunday, 03 March 2013 04:02 AM

    Only Matara or Galle bus stations!

    Yuri Sunday, 03 March 2013 04:10 AM

    The Airline export Human to the Middle east

    mori Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

    Yes,halaal occupation in the heart of our Sinhalese population,y BBS is silent? go chase them, via DM Android App

    Suriyapperuma Sunday, 03 March 2013 05:02 AM

    Balanna........Meka Neada Aasscharya !

    stranger Sunday, 03 March 2013 05:29 AM

    BBS thinking : It says air arabia , sure we can make another act out of this flight arrival, just wait till that flight leaves.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Sunday, 03 March 2013 02:43 AM

    And then stop over in Katunayake - any other stopovers in between ?

    Saadarana kota Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

    We also have a harbour in hambantota! Ela kiri MR uncle! 1st family, 2nd village, then Rata Perata! via DM Android App

    MLS Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:01 AM

    Mattala , what a waste of money, Should have utilized that money to biuld a much needed 2 nd runway in BIA

    edward Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:22 AM

    Hahah may be one time like wise the hambathota port ,

    ANTON Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:23 AM

    Mattala airport soon will be named RAAJAPAKSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

    samosa Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:32 AM

    Budget airways :) we will see how long they would use Mattale airport.

    Muhammad Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

    Mattala can be used as an alternative destination when katunayake get flooded. via DM Android App

    Grumpy Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:53 AM

    Hey... pls... pick me up from Kollupityta ane!

    jagath Sunday, 03 March 2013 08:00 AM

    Who will fly Air Arabia with this decsion???? End of the carrier.

    Abdul Sunday, 03 March 2013 08:14 AM

    lets make another international airport in north.


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