First Intl. flight to depart from Ratmalana to Maldives after 5 decades

6 October 2021 04:04 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Ratmalana Airport is set to launch international flights in the region after 5 decades and the first flight is scheduled to depart for the Maldives next month, the Tourism Ministry said.

After lengthy discussions with the Maldivian Airlines, they have agreed to resume flights from Ratmalana.

Initially, aircraft which can carry 50 passengers will be the first to fly between Colombo and the Maldives.

Ratmalana International Airport was established in 1938 and regional international flights were suspended due to the commencement of flights from Katunayake International Airport in 1968.

It is planned to launch new regional international flights using the resources available at the Ratmalana Airport, the Ministry said.

The Ratmalana Airport to be developed as a regional international airport centered on India and the Maldives.

The Ministry said that the government has recently taken steps to remove aircraft parking and parking charges for one year for the promotion of international flights at Ratmalana Airport and to suspend the airport service tax levied on passengers for one year.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

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Comments - 9

TJ Wednesday, 06 October 2021 04:37 PM

Why not from Mattala to the Maldives?

Kumara Wednesday, 06 October 2021 04:55 PM

Why not from Palaly International Airport, which is vital in the North?

mackie noohuthambi Wednesday, 06 October 2021 05:09 PM

well, we expect colombo chennai, colombo madurai flights from ratmalana airport.

Northerner Wednesday, 06 October 2021 05:13 PM

Why neglect the second largest city Jaffna airport ? It should be elevated for intercontinental flights to serve the northern, north central and eastern provincial areas. Tourism will spread from North to South and central provinces.

Leel Thursday, 07 October 2021 02:24 PM

Why not, it is already an international airport. After pandemic no flight operations are resumed.

Samson Wednesday, 06 October 2021 06:41 PM

If authorities are interested Ratmalana has room for development for more international flights, so is Jaffna.

alain elpitiya Wednesday, 06 October 2021 10:16 PM

very good political planing and decision

Colin Thursday, 07 October 2021 07:58 AM

I presume the runway at Ratmalana is not long enough to handle international flights which use large aircraft. An expansion project could be undertaken leading the runway on an overhead bridge over the Galle Road and ending up above the sea. As we as a nation are now in the habit of selling our family silver to survive the whole project could be handled by a foreign company

Bing Bing Thursday, 07 October 2021 09:13 AM

Good initiative, hope Ratmalana airport could be developed to cater larger flights that would benefit the down south hotels... it would reduce the travel time from Katunayake.

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First Intl. flight to depart from Ratmalana to Maldives after 5 decades

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