SriLankan commissions ground services operations building at MRIA

Monday, 6 May 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The new ground services operations building of SriLankan Airlines at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was declared open by Minister of Civil Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne on last week.

The newly-opened two-storey building, which is expected to become the centre-point of SriLankan’s operations at MRIA, will house the engineering, ground handling and flight operations branches of the airline.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe said: “It is our pleasure to be playing a pivotal role as the sole ground handling service provider at the country’s second international airport. As the national carrier, it is our duty and steadfast commitment to contribute to the development of the country’s aviation sector through further expansion of our services such as the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility that will be established at MRIA in the near future.”

SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena said: “SriLankan Airlines has recruited and trained the youth from rural areas surrounding Mattala to be a part of this national venture. Ground handling is an area where we have recruited the most number of youth of the region; thereby giving them the opportunity to pursue lucrative careers in aviation. These employment opportunities will continue to grow with the expansion of the airport.”

SriLankan Airlines is the sole ground handler at MRIA providing full handing services including passenger services, baggage services and cargo handling for charters and privately-owned aircraft.

Currently, SriLankan Cargo manages the 5,000-square metre cargo facility at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport which has the capacity of handling 60,000 metric tons. It is equipped with facilities to store live animals, dangerous goods, temperature regulated goods, customs and quarantine cargo, with special provisions for valuable cargo, weighing facility up to 15,000 kg, and screening machines.

Meanwhile, all line maintenance requirements at MRIA for Airbus A300, A320, A330, A340 and Boeing 737 aircraft, including support for other operators’ aircraft, are provided by SriLankan Engineering.

A subsidiary of SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering (SLC) is in full command of the Flight Kitchen of MRIA, supplying food and beverages to Transit Restaurant, Business Class Lounge and the Public Restaurant. Staffed by 52 employees recruited from the region, these SLC restaurants are utilising the maximum possible local produce in all catering requirements.