Mattala off radar for new airlines
Sri Lanka is unlikely to insist international airlines to fly some of its frequencies to Mattala as the new Sirisena-led administration mulls the southern airport’s future plans.
In the past the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was part of the air services agreements and the relevant authorities had had to insist that international carriers do fly some of their frequencies from Mattala as well, Civil Aviation Authorty Chairman H.M.C. Nimalsiri said on Wednesday.
He noted that though this was not binding the authorities had to insist that these international carriers fly into Mattala.
However, “we can’t say we stopped airlines coming to Colombo since we did accommodate them there (Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA)) as well,” he said.
It was stated that some flights should operate to Mattala as well in the past as part of the air services agreements, Mr. Nimalsiri said.
Under the current setup he asserted it was premature to state how the new air services agreements would be drafted but added “any carrier coming to Colombo is helping in the development of air transport and we are helping in that context”.
On Tuesday, Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga had stated that they were considering conducting Maintenance and Repair Operations (MRO) from Mattala based on certain requests received by the government in this regard.
Previously, MRO by German aviation engineering organization, Lufthansa Technik was in discussion with SriLankan Airlines to conduct such a facility at the MRIA however, the talks did not materialize.
Mr. Nimalsiri said authorities were likely to revisit discussions with the Lufthansa Technik since they have a strong network all over the world and because they might want to come to this region.
He also stated they would be consulted on any new proposals for similar operations once the government reaches a mature stage in the talks with such companies.
Lufthansa Technik AG is one of the world’s leading providers of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, the company’s website stated. This organisation is the Lufthansa German Airlines’ maintenance arm and is a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group.
The national carrier was in discussion to ensure they are equipped with the technological know-how as the organisation is engaged in offering airlines and other operators of commercial airlines from minor maintenance to complete overhauls from repair of defective components to comprehensive spare-parts logistics.
The joint venture with Lufthansa Technik would ensure the latter invests on MRO that would allow the state airline to conduct third party maintenance related work, it was reported.