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| Aviation State Minister D.V. Chanaka
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Aviation State Minister D.V. Chanaka yesterday said four international airlines have agreed to start scheduled
flights to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), with discussions ongoing with several other airlines.
“Four international airlines have officially agreed to start scheduled operations to MRIA, including an Abu Dhabi – Mattala flight,” he said during an inspection visit to the airport yesterday.
The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a special incentive package to woo international airlines to MRIA. Airport immigration tax has been waived for two years from the date of the commencement of operations by airlines, whilst landing charges and parking fees will be waived for four years.
Chanaka refused to disclose the names, noting that the airlines will make official announcements in the coming weeks.
Speaking to the Daily FT, the State Minister said that national carrier SriLankan Airlines would start a weekly flight from Mattala to Male from 14 October, which would be followed by twice-a-week charter flights to Kazakhstan starting in November.
“The special incentives package announced by the Government was timely. It made Mattala more attractive to airlines as their businesses were highly impacted by the pandemic,” Chanaka said.
The State Minister said the MRIA has now become an active international airport. He also noted that it is internationally rated as a COVID-safe airport, adding that a number of top international airlines are in discussions with the Government to begin operations.
Without naming the company, he also revealed that the Government was in the final stage of negotiations with an international company to set up an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit at MRIA.
He also pointed out that MRIA has handled the highest number of passengers during this year amidst the COVID pandemic, whilst recording a significant growth in cargo operations as well.
“The Mattala Airport is expected to be developed as a tourism and logistics hub that will help exports of the country particularly with agricultural and fisheries products of the area,” the State Minister added.
