Flights to operate from Ratmalana airport to regional destinations

16 September 2020 04:15 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Ratmalana Airport will be used for flight operations with the Maldives and some destinations in the southern parts of India, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

He said talks had been conducted with Maldivian Air and Villa Air for possible flight operations.

The Ratmalana Airport, which began operations in 1935, is Sri Lanka's first international airport. It is currently used to operate commercial flights to internal destinations and for corporate jets. It is also used as a flying school and as the base for Air Force services.

The minister said 75 flights are operated a day and Cabinet approval has been obtained for international flight operations.

The Cabinet has also approved concessionary refueling charges for airlines using the airport in addition to the 50 per cent waiver of the disembarkation fee.

The minister said some 9,000 Maldivians live in areas around Ratmalana for study and employment purposes.

“A lot of arrivals for southern states of India stay in the vicinity of Ratmalana such as Bambalapitiya and Kollupitiya. The airport will target these travellers," he said.(Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 14

ChanakaJ Wednesday, 16 September 2020 04:20 AM

India is rampant with Corvid 19. Do we want to follow them?

Sumith pilliyan Wednesday, 16 September 2020 04:33 AM

Maldivian are taking our jobs now?

Chandran Wednesday, 16 September 2020 05:21 AM

Minister, why are you so desperate to bring in the Covid-19 from India ? Do you know how the infection prone Indians actually spread the deadly Spanish Flu in Sri Lanka one hundred years ago ?

Lokka Wednesday, 16 September 2020 06:55 AM

Good decision.

Sambo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 06:57 AM

Why was Mattala made instead upgrading Ratmalana?

Buffalo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:05 AM

Personal gains

Suranjith Peiris Wednesday, 16 September 2020 08:35 AM

No need another international air port. Need to operate current 2 airport proper way. This runway how to use for proper way ... that one need to disabused with seniors for make profits .

sebaratnam Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:04 AM

whom is this minister trying to fool. Ratmalana Airport made available for regional flights long back . Even Immigration and customs were deployed there few years back, But no schedule regional operator started flights due to insufficient demand. First get the Regional airline to operate a schedule flight and then this Minister can talk.

Javed Ahsan Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:18 AM

Excellent!!!

Buffalo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:06 AM

Improve the facilities of Katunayaka with the money. Build more terminals. Bringing more flights to ratmalana will increase the traffic sorrunding the airport

Geethanjali Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:33 AM

Excellent decision. Yes , all the flyers should be subjected to testing and quarantine process..

Expat Wednesday, 16 September 2020 01:19 PM

Jaffna international airport should be fully utilised. The runway to be improved for European flights. This will certainly give jobs to the thousands of unemployed graduates and non graduates. Think in a positive manner to improve SL.

Samson Wednesday, 16 September 2020 03:18 PM

If properly thought this can be made a proper international airport for landing A330

PS Wednesday, 16 September 2020 05:46 PM

Atleast, First open the BIA Airport !!! for the genuine travellers, tourists, experts... Then think of other airport. .

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Flights to operate from Ratmalana airport to regional destinations

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