Mattala offers to park narrow-body aircraft of COVID-19 hit airlines  

• Invites international airlines grounding aircraft to rent space at the idling airport  

Attempting to make the most of a difficult situation, the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Mattala, is offering to let international airlines use its idling facility to park narrow body aircrafts grounded during the COVID-19 crisis - for a price. 

MRIA owner and manager Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., said with COVID-19 spreading worldwide, threatening the lives of millions of people, the aviation industry is one of the most severely affected industries.

Considering the global requirement, AASL is inviting airlines who are seeking aircraft parking space to consider MRIA, according to an invitation extended by AASL Director Shehan Sumanasekara. The offer follows many aircraft grounded due to COVID-19 border shutdowns and collapse of global travel. “Attractive rates could be offered for long term aircraft parking,” Sumanasekara added.

The invitation includes an aerodrome location indicator of MRIA, runway parameters, airfield ground lighting systems, navigational and landing aids, communication and other facilities, apron parameters, re-fuelling facilities, and airport fire and rescue.