Cabinet to consider international flights at Ratmalana; pilot training unit at Mattala

By Charumini de Silva

Proposals to start international flights at Ratmalana International Airport (RIA) and an international pilot training institute at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) will go before

Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga

Cabinet consideration today.

Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the Daily FT that the airport authorities have had several discussions in recent years regarding the commencement of international flights at Ratmalana, which has been revamped as an international airport.

Promotion of regional and international aviation operations, aircraft maintenance services, technical stops and services, and freight transport operations are the four strategic areas identified by the Government regarding the Mattala airport, while facilitation of international business jets, development of domestic civilian and commercial operations, establishment of aviation training centre in the region and regional airport operations are some of the areas identified for the development of RIA.

Accordingly, the Government has drawn its attention to implement the relief proposals which include: liberation of Immigration Levy, discounts on Foreign Employment Bureau charges, and discounts on ground handling charges at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, in addition to providing concessionary fuel prices at Mattala and Ratmalana airports.

He said the proposal was formulated with the objective of attracting international airlines to the Mattala and Ratmalana airports.

“The proposal is expected to be implemented shortly after Cabinet approval,” the Minister said.

With regards to the two international pilot training institutes, Ranatunga said that the United Arab Emirates Alpha Aviation Academy has agreed to invest in Sri Lanka. The Minister said that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAASL) and Airport and Aviation (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) had agreed to this.

“The decision was taken to establish the institutes in view of the growing demand for aviation education worldwide,” he pointed out.

Ranatunga believes that this new venture will help to introduce a knowledge exchange approach to the Sri Lankan aviation industry and the market in keeping with world class standards.

“These new training programs will improve the quality of the country, due to the quality of amateur pilots with international standards, qualifications, and skills, and will also enhance Sri Lanka’s brand image as an international aviation training destination,” he added.

It was noted that RIA has a large aerodrome and yard for setting up of these two establishments, while MRIA owns the necessary infrastructure facilities.

The two new training institutes are expected to attract foreign students from countries such as Dubai, Thailand and Myanmar.

By 2036, the aviation industry will need 2.1 million additional pilots, maintenance crews, aircraft cabin crew, air traffic controllers and other workers. The largest demand for this group is from the Asia Pacific region. It will be approximately 817,000 positions, according to aviation industry experts.