The Government is drafting plans to upgrade the Ratmalana Airport as a dedicated destination for business jets and chartered flights to Sri Lanka, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday (22).
Responding to a question about a statement made by him in Parliament last week, de Silva told The Sunday Morning that the Government had identified Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (CIAR) as the preferred destination for business aviation, high-end tourist flights, and pilot training.
“The Government has decided to upgrade the Ratmalana Airport as a dedicated airport for business jets, pilot training, and flying schools. We have noticed that there are many business jet arrivals. Some tourists also charter private jets to Sri Lanka. We want to provide more facilities to attract private jets,” the Minister explained.
According to him, the plans which are now being drawn up are likely to be ready in the next few months, with the proposed programme to be enacted next year.
When asked, Minister de Silva said that the Government was keen to attract investment or a partner for the project. However, if funding or a partner is not secured, the Government plans to go ahead with the upgrades on its own.
However, when The Sunday Morning contacted Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Ltd. and the management of the Ratmalana Airport to ascertain the frequency of business jets flying to CIAR, they declined to comment.
This is not the first time a Sri Lankan government has tried to upgrade the Ratmalana Airport, with the previous iteration of it releasing more hangar and apron parking space for flying schools and business jets by shifting the No. 2 squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force to a new facility in the south of the airport.
– By Asiri Fernando
Ratmalana Airport for private jets
23 Oct 2022
Ratmalana Airport for private jets
23 Oct 2022