Ratmalana Airport to be used to park planes during CHOGM

18 October 2013 05:22 am

The Ratmalana Airport would be kept ready to accommodate international flights during the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) Summit if and when it is needed, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka said yesterday.

Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority H. M. C. Nimalsiri told Daily Mirror that the airport was ready to accept international flights during the summit.

“The airport is capable of handling commercial business jets if there is congestion at the Bandaranaike International Airport during the Commonwealth Summit,” he said. He pointed out that small jets can land at the airport even now.

According to Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr. Ravindra Ruberu heads of state that wish to fly in their private jets to participate in the summit will be allowed to park their aircraft at the Ratmalana Airport .

However, he reiterated that all heads of state would be expected to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport while their private jets would be sent to the Ratmalana Airport to be parked there.

The Ratmalana Airport was constructed in 1934 and operated international flights till the new airport at Katunayake came into operation in 1967 after which it was left with the relatively small market for domestic air travel.

(Yohan Perera)