Emirates A380 arrival boosts BIA

Marking a milestone in Sri Lanka’s airport and aviation industry, a one-off Emirates A380 commercial flight landed on Monday at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, a development which will bolster the image of the airport and its services. Arranged to celebrate BIA’s recently resurfaced and upgraded runway, the special A380 flight operated as EK654 from Dubai and replaced the B777 usually deployed by Emirates on flights to Sri Lanka. 

It was the first time over 500 passengers came to Sri Lanka on a single flight. Transport and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was the Chief Guest whilst Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial - West Asia and Indian Ocean, Ahmed Khoory was Guest of Honour 

- Pix by Ruwan Walpola