Air Arabia flies to Mattala

Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:59

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)

Comments

-12+49 # Mushi 2013-03-03 05:30

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

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-5+61 # Abdul 2013-03-03 13:44

lets make another international airport in north.

-6+18 # weha 2013-03-03 17:29

And name it after him :P

-14+69 # mori 2013-03-03 05:30

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

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-2+53 # Saadarana kota 2013-03-03 05:30

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

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-0+0 # Muhammad 2013-03-03 05:30

Mattala can be used as an alternative destination when katunayake get flooded.

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-0+0 # raa one 2013-03-03 05:30

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

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-0+0 # climbing 2013-03-03 05:30

hurrah!

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-15+81 # Calistus Jayatilleke 2013-03-03 08:13

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

-5+57 # Saman 2013-03-03 08:35

Yes, in Wattala.

-8+42 # Hdiran 2013-03-03 09:32

Only Matara or Galle bus stations!

-3+37 # Grumpy 2013-03-03 13:23

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

-2+23 # Lion 2013-03-03 16:39

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

-5+0 # Burul 2013-03-04 12:13

Between your legs, Calistus.

-8+54 # mimi 2013-03-03 08:46

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.

-3+29 # GC 2013-03-03 17:47

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.

-7+42 # ANTON 2013-03-03 08:49

IS THIS THE FINAL FLIGHT ?

-13+159 # kamal 2013-03-03 09:27

Bodu Bala Sena might protest because its a Halal flight

-19+41 # Yuri 2013-03-03 09:40

The Airline export Human to the Middle east

-4+39 # Suriyapperuma 2013-03-03 10:32

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

-5+50 # stranger 2013-03-03 10:59

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

-6+86 # Mohamed Dubai 2013-03-03 11:19

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

-7+1 # LankanFellow 2013-03-04 10:17

Hi dubai mohamed, Go by Bus...

-4+39 # MLS 2013-03-03 12:31

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

-7+25 # Muthu 2013-03-03 17:57

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

-2+20 # edward 2013-03-03 12:52

Hahah may be one time like wise the hambathota port ,

-4+26 # ANTON 2013-03-03 12:53

Mattala airport soon will be named RAAJAPAKSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

-2+26 # Optimus Prime 2013-03-03 14:58

its already is dude!

-4+28 # Ronny 2013-03-03 15:19

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

-5+24 # samosa 2013-03-03 13:02

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

-6+25 # jagath 2013-03-03 13:30

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

-4+25 # Selva 2013-03-03 13:49

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

-4+10 # Saman 2013-03-03 21:32

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

-3+30 # Ranjit 2013-03-03 13:54

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.

-4+35 # Nazeer Salih 2013-03-03 14:27

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?

-9+12 # Siril De Silva 2013-03-03 15:35

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.

-4+9 # Dinithi 2013-03-03 16:30

Clearly your sources are wrong.. :D

-1+9 # Toco 2013-03-03 21:09

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

-3+6 # Toco 2013-03-03 21:00

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.

-2+10 # Dolwatta 2013-03-03 22:33

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,

-1+1 # Hambanthotaya 2013-03-04 12:27

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

-1+10 # Senthil 2013-03-03 23:28

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

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