SriLankan to invest in H’tota Airport

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The SriLankan Airlines is looking at investing extensively at the country’s second international airport in Hambantota.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe speaking to ‘Daily News Business’ said that they are looking at setting up a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul centre (MRO) at Hambantota International Airport. (HIA)

The Chairman also mulled plans of setting up an Aviation Engineering Training Centre at Mattala.

He said that they would look at an international partner to launch both these operations. “We not only want to attract Asian airlines but are also looking at the global market and this is the reason the airline decided to look for a partner,” he said.

The HIA with an investment of US $ 209 million would be opened for international flights by the end of next year. HIA would focus on 60% of cargo and 40% of passenger transportation. The new airport is being built to be compatible with the latest Airbus A380 aircraft and over 80% of the runway was now been completed. It is being constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company. The Chairman said that in addition they would open an airline pilot training school. “This would target both local and international students,” he added.

Wickremasinghe said that they would resume direct flights to Zurich by the end of the year. “Initially we are looking at three flights a week and hope to increase the frequency to five,” he said.

The Chairman also said that they would increase frequency to Europe and also to Japan. “The Asian destinations too would have additional flights by the end of the year,” he said. Commenting on the ASP Windsurfing Championships that would be held from August 30 to September 4 in Arugam Bay, he said that the event would bring tremendous publicity to Sri Lanka as a destination.During this contest, professional surfers will chase ASP star points and a generous prize pool of US $ 145,000.

“SriLankan is happy to welcome the world’s top surfers from 19 countries and to be associated with Australasia’s Association of Surfing Professionals, to bring this world surfing event to the shores of Sri Lanka, once again,” he added. As tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka top the halfway target this year, Arugam Bay and the East Coast is increasingly becoming a popular tourist attraction.

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa said “I Arugam Bay, being one of the best surfing destinations in the world continues to attract world’s top surfers and we are confident that the ASP surfers will find the perfect waves for professional surfing in Arugam Bay and hopeful that the visitors will also explore Sri Lanka and experience its diverse attractions as a leisure destination”.