No decline in flight arrivals

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: There is no decline in total flight arrivals following the closure of the Bandaranaike International Airport for six hours every night, it was disclosed yesterday.

There has been no discernible impact on flight operations apart from the change of schedules, Aviation Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne said. These trends were discussed at a meeting he held with the representatives of the travel trade at his Ministry.

According to BIA officials, only two out of the 24 airlines suspended their flights after the recent incidents, but Air Sahara has resumed operations after its merger with Jet Airways of India.

This leaves only Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific as the sole absentee at the BIA on a temporary basis. The Minister discussed the rationale for the closing International Airport at night and explained the measures taken been by his Ministry for facilitating all stakeholders of the travel and tourism field. The Security Forces have extended their fullest cooperation to these measures.

"The Government has taken stern action to ensure security at all airports including domestic airports and airstrips. Now we are ready to face any challenge," Gunaratne told the meeting.