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Ratmalana Airport welcomes foreign flights after 50 years

28 Mar 2022

  • Recommences int’l. operations from yesterday
  • Inaugural flight arrives from the Maldives
  • Flight frequency to be increased from May
    Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (CIAR) re-commenced scheduled international regional flight operations yesterday (27) after a hiatus of around five decades and also declared open the new taxiway and overlaid apron developed at the airport to facilitate smooth flight operations.  The inaugural international flight from Velana International Airport (VIA), the Maldives to CIAR, DHB 300 a 50-seater aircraft belonging to the Island Aviation Services Ltd., touched ground at 9 a.m. yesterday and was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival followed by an inaugural ceremony to welcome the dignitaries and the guests.  Island Aviation Services Ltd., which is wholly owned by the Government of the Maldives, owns “Maldivian”, which is the national airline of the Maldives.  Accordingly, from yesterday, Island Aviation Services Ltd. commenced international regional flight operations between its main hub at VIA and the CIAR.  Initially, the airline will operate scheduled flights (Dash-8 aircraft with 50 seats) between Sri Lanka and the Maldives three times a week and the frequency will be increased up to five from May 2022 onwards. CIAR was the first international airport in Sri Lanka, established in 1935. CIAR is managed and operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd. (AASL). Speaking at the inaugural event, AASL Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri stated that the strategic location of the CIAR with its proximity to government institutions, embassy offices, prominent business centres, luxury hotels, luxury apartments, condominiums, and shopping malls, etc. will enhance the strategic value of the airport. Furthermore, commencing international regional flight operations to the Maldives will contribute immensely towards the development of the airport and the aviation industry of Sri Lanka.  Furthermore, AASL Director for Domestic and Regional Airports CIAR/Jaffna International Airport (JIA)/Batticaloa International Airport (BTIA), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) Deirdre De Livera stated: “While we are developing new connections with new markets with Maldivian Air, we are in the process of continuing dialogues with other regional airlines to facilitate the commencement of flight operations from CIAR to other prospective destinations in South India and Bangladesh.” De Livera further stated that the airport will be developed and positioned as a gateway for a new experience for both Sri Lankans as well as international travellers. Adventure and leisure-seeking enthusiasts could use CIAR as a new gateway to experience the diversity of nature, culture, wildlife, and beaches of Sri Lanka by reaching any destination conveniently, saving ground travel time.  Under the strategic initiative to develop the domestic aviation industry, CIAR has also introduced charter and scenic flights directly from Ratmalana to any of Sri Lanka’s 20 airports including waterdromes, thereby connecting to any part of the country within a short travel time. As a part of this initiative, the concept of joy rides has been introduced at CIAR and at the BTIA in collaboration with domestic airlines.  As part of the development of CIAR, the existing terminal building was converted to facilitate planned international operations at a minimum cost and an extended passenger boarding gate was constructed to enhance passenger experience. The new development of the terminal will facilitate services such as mini duty-free, banking, restaurant, taxi, hotel counters, and other basic passenger services. Furthermore, the airport access road development was initiated in collaboration with the Road Development Authority (RDA) to facilitate convenient travel for passengers. The road has been overlaid and developed with the latest standards to provide easy and fast access to the CIAR. These developments implemented in CIAR are expected to result in an overall increase of 50% in airport operations at CIAR. The nation’s civil aviation industry emerged in the 1930’s and the ceremonial opening of the CIAR was held on 28 February 1938 by Governor Sir Andrew Caldecott with the launch of the Air Mail service between Colombo and Mumbai using the mail room at the Ratmalana Aerodrome. The runaway facilities at CIAR were expanded by the British in 1947 and subsequently, the country’s first national carrier – Air Ceylon – commenced international flight operations at CIAR. However, following the growing popularity of the international aviation industry, operations were shifted to the new airport at Katunayake from 1968.  In 2012, AASL declared CIAR as a city airport, allowing it to accommodate international corporate jet operations in addition to the domestic scheduled/charter flights and the main training domain for the whole array of aviators ranging from pilots and flight dispatchers to aeronautical engineers. 

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