Hi, thanks for accepting me as a member

HIA is definitely a good idea. But it hasn't been advertised properly and the current destinations don't (well to me) make sense. Another problem is airlines have only just started returning to the major airport (BIA) so they'll will want to test out how this works before expanding to the unknown.

HIA is close to major tourist attractions like Galle, Arugam bay etc which is what most tourists especially those from Eastern Europe, UK, Germany, Oz etc. come to Sri Lanka for.

So to me it would make sense to maybe have maybe once a week flights from such destinations to HIA and test how this works. If Sri Lankan is able to get demand on this route then it will attract other airlines to start flying there.

Make's more sense than flights from Chennai, Riyadh etc.where most people are coming for business, family etc.

They could also look to making HIA (in the short term) a low cost airline hub. So push all the budget airlines from BIA (by putting costs up in BIA??). It will also free up space in BIA. Then once HIA becomes busier and expands, it can look to the higher cost airlines.

What do you guys think??

true^^^^

well said!

IndiGo fleet to undergo maintenance in Mattala

^^^any comments haters??

should We beleive crap Daily news? me definietly not.

but, lets wait and see.when its really happens good for Mattala and our country.

happy now you bangla boy.

Is there any news about BIA expansion project Phase II??

According to Wikipedia (not the most reliable source I know) it says it will be completed by 2016 but I haven't heard or seen anything happen yet!

what ever happened to:
#BIA Phase II
#BIA SECOND runway
#renovation of SLAF Batticaloa
#renovation of JAF to intl standard
#FitsAir(ExpoAir) getting a MD-80F

The work on the proposed development of the passenger terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake to handle 15 million passengers from the current six million and also add other services would begin in November this year, said Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne while speaking to AdaderanaBiz.

While the funds for this project would be provided by JAICA the related agreement has also been signed.

Though the BIA is capable of handling only six million, it has handled some seven million passengers last year.

Though this project is to be completed by 2016, a section of the terminal is to be opened for the passengers by end 2015.

New International Air Ports
Mathtala and Higurakgoda
Expand International Air Port
Construction of second runner way in Katunayake
Expand Domestic Air Ports
1. Palali 4. Baticaloa 7. Vavniya 10. Rathmalana
2.Trincomalee 5. Kalutara 8. Anuradhapura
3.Putlum 6. Ampara 9. Galle
Construct New Domestic Air Ports
1. Kandy 2.Mankulum 3. Nuwaraeliya
4. Mannre 5. Monaragala 6. Dambulla

any updates on the BIA renovation project??????

Came through BIA last morning, recall seeing what looked like the FitsAir MD80 parked.

That's nice !! Colombo Airport updated on Google Earth - http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=7.1...1&tab=2&pl=all . You can see Lankan Cargo B727F had been moved out from the apron.

Good news!!!

Sri Lanka and Singapore to establish a pilot training school at Mattala airport

The Sri Lankan government has taken steps to establish a pilot training school at the newly opened Mattala Airport in the Southern Province, Minister of Civil Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne said.

The pilot training school is to be started as a joint venture of Singapore's state owned Institute of Aerospace Engineers and Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College.

Sri Lanka government has coordinated inter government talks in this regard, the Minister stated.

The Minister also said that several rounds of talks had been held regarding the establishment of the pilot training school and the Ministry has taken steps to allocate the land to the institute.

The Minister pointed out that there is a great demand for pilot training and said that it will save foreign exchange and also attract foreign students.



Mattala Airport earns 10 million dollars during last 15 months

The Mattala Rajapaksa international airport has earned an income of 10 million dollars during last 15 months by providing fuel to aircrafts.

The Mattala Airport has the ability to facilitate world's largest passenger airbus A380 and world's largest cargo aircraft AN-225. Leading international aviation services are maintaining services with the Mattala international airport.

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport has opened its doors to the world. This new and unique international hub promises to spearhead and facilitate the development in both the Southern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The brainchild of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, this second international airport, built as an unique eco-project, is set to transform the fast changing Southern and Eastern regions of the island.(ST/KH)

your news source Serendib ????

normally you have to post a link with a news article in a forum.