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Friday Nov 22, 2024
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The Ratmalana International Airport is to service global and regional flights from 29 January, revealed State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development D.V. Chanaka yesterday.
He said that initially the airport would handle flights from South India, the Maldives and Bangladesh.
The upcoming plans to resume fully fledged operations at Ratmalana came up for review yesterday during a meeting chaired by Chanaka. Secretary to the Ministry Janaka Chandragupta, Chairman of Airports and Aviation Retired Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Upul Dharmadasa and Director General Captain Themiya Abeywickrama were present at the discussion.
Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana was established in 1938 and regional international flights were not operational due to the commencement of flights from Katunayake International Airport in 1968.
Chanaka said that steps had already been taken to launch new regional international flights using the resources available at the Ratmalana Airport.
He said President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had stated in his policy statement that Sri Lanka would be developed as a regional aviation hub.
Accordingly, two airlines have already agreed to launch regional international flights based on India and the Maldives.
Talks are underway with several other airlines and Chanaka said those talks were positive.
The Ratmalana International Airport is also being developed as a local aviation hub, recreational aviation hub and aviation training centre. Measures are being taken to promote servicing of private jets to Sri Lanka targeting high income earners and to meet the requirements of technical and parking services for private jets such as jet refuelling.
In addition, promotions are expected to be launched at Ratmalana Airport for international commercial and corporate flights as well as private jet operations.
