German aero company to open Mattala school
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For the first time in the region, a German aeronautical company is planning to open an aeronautical engineering school in Sri Lanka.
The German company is also looking at using the Mattala airport for training purposes.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited,Chairman Ananda Wimalasena said the German company will also invite foreign students to come to Sri Lanka to follow the courses.
“When this Engineering School concept gets popular, we hope to convert some of the unused buildings at the Mattala airport to provide hostel facilities for these students.
The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) has decided to shelve plans for the construction of the second stage of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.
“Currently we do not see any need expand in the MRIA,” Wimalasena said.
He said only one airline (flydubai ) is landing at the MRIA and we see only less than 70 passengers using the airport daily.”
He said hardly any revenue is generated from this airport and they have to pay Rs. 600 million only as interest and keep on paying a further Rs. 2 billion annually for 10 more years towards the settlement of the capital.
The Chairman said that today the average revenue per year from the Mattala operations was around Rs. 250 million and the pulling out of SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka too have further deepened financial woes of MRIA.
He said that once an airport is declared and accepted as an international airport they cannot arbitrarily close the airport. “Hence we are forced to carry on operations incurring huge losses.”
“We are now on the look out to formulate a plan to try to turnaround this loss making venture. This includes plans to woo more tourists to use the airport.AASL is looking at offering visa free landing for foreigners to MRIA.” He said that they are looking at putting together an international style shopping mall to woo Indian travellers. “In addition we are also looking at taking over the catering business thus ensuring AASL of providing this service and gaining income.”
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The German company is also looking at using the Mattala airport for training purposes.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited,Chairman Ananda Wimalasena said the German company will also invite foreign students to come to Sri Lanka to follow the courses.
“When this Engineering School concept gets popular, we hope to convert some of the unused buildings at the Mattala airport to provide hostel facilities for these students.
The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) has decided to shelve plans for the construction of the second stage of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.
“Currently we do not see any need expand in the MRIA,” Wimalasena said.
He said only one airline (flydubai ) is landing at the MRIA and we see only less than 70 passengers using the airport daily.”
He said hardly any revenue is generated from this airport and they have to pay Rs. 600 million only as interest and keep on paying a further Rs. 2 billion annually for 10 more years towards the settlement of the capital.
The Chairman said that today the average revenue per year from the Mattala operations was around Rs. 250 million and the pulling out of SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka too have further deepened financial woes of MRIA.
He said that once an airport is declared and accepted as an international airport they cannot arbitrarily close the airport. “Hence we are forced to carry on operations incurring huge losses.”
“We are now on the look out to formulate a plan to try to turnaround this loss making venture. This includes plans to woo more tourists to use the airport.AASL is looking at offering visa free landing for foreigners to MRIA.” He said that they are looking at putting together an international style shopping mall to woo Indian travellers. “In addition we are also looking at taking over the catering business thus ensuring AASL of providing this service and gaining income.”
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