(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –State Minister of Civil Aviation and Export Zone Development D V Chanaka visited the Colombo International Airport at Ratmalana on Monday on an observation tour to inspect the future development plans of the Airport.
Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka (AASL) Ltd Major General (Rtd) G. A. Chandrasiri together with AASL directors Thilak Weerasinghe and Ms. Deirdre De Livera accompanied the State Minister Chanaka on the tour.
The Chief Airport Manager together with the senior management of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited elaborated on the short, medium, and long term strategic development plan of the airport. The Minister actively engaged in the discussions and took initiatives to address the pressing issues facilitating the development projects and activities.
According to the AASL, the airport is already being developed to attract international corporate jets, commence international scheduled passenger flight operations primarily targeting the Maldives and South India when the boarders are open. In addition, the airport is being developed for domestic flight operations as the domestic hub in the country and aviation training has also been identified as a key strategic area for future development.
The minister had a site inspection to identify the current situation and development needs of the airport.
On the same day, agreements were signed with the Asian Aviation Centre for a period of 3 years and in addition, a new agreement was signed with the Aura Airlines, a new domestic airline commencing operations at Ratmalana, the AASL said.
Further, the Minister addressed the staff of the airport and explained the vision of the government and the future development plans for Colombo Airport Ratmalana.
Colombo Airport Ratmalana will be developed as an international airport as an exclusive gateway.
Along with the development of the Colombo Port City project and the ease of access to leading tourist hotels, this airport will be able to strategically uplift Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and thereby make a significant contribution to the national economy, according to the AASL.
