Sri Lanka will soon initiate flights from Ratmalana to three key regions - Mattala, Palali and Batticaloa, Transport and Civil Aviations Minister Arjuna Ranatunga told the media.
During an inspection tour around the development site of the Palali Airport, he said that local companies would be given preference and financial assistance to operate domestic flights. He also said that the government would even go to the extent of paying for some of the empty
passenger seats if a domestic airline does not have passengers to reach the breakeven point.
“The government would invest over Rs. 3 billion to convert Palali from a regional airport to an international airport, initially operating flights to regional airports in India. The minister said that an international airport would be ready by October 10 and international flight services would
commence from October 16, 2019.” He said that the people of the North would get more job opportunities while tourism in the area too would receive a major boost. (SS)
0 comments: