Ratmalana Airport to be promote as Leisure Flying Centre: Minister

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The Ratmalana Airport will be promoted as a Leisure Flying Centre under the Government’s programme to develop the Airport as a domestic aviation hub, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.  

Accordingly,  the Ratmalana Airport will be promoted for leisure flying, wedding photography, drama and cinematography.  

The Minister said that new local air routes to tourist attractions and new runways suitable for aircraft would be identified. It was also expected to ease the barriers to flying to such identified locations.   

“Besides, we expect to launch promotions for international commercial and corporate flights as well as private jet operations at the Ratmalana Airport,” he said.  

The Ratmalana Airport, which was closed due to Covid- 19, was reopened to the public on January 1, according to health guidelines.   

A total of 16,511 flights were operated from Ratmalana Airport out of which 432 were domestic flights as of March 31 from January 1.  

A total of 10,332 flights had been conducted for pilot training and 6,006 flights conducted by the Sri Lanka Air Force.  

Minister Ranatunga said that the domestic flights that were stopped at the Ratmalana Airport were expected to resume following the Corona vaccination.   He said special relief would be offered for companies looking to operate flights from Ratmalana Airport.   

“Parking charges for flights have been temporarily suspended for one year. Besides, the airport service tax levied on passengers has also been suspended for one year,”