Mattala Airport Faces Annual Losses of Rs 3.2 Bn

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Ports and Aviation has reported that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport continues to incur annual losses amounting to Rs 3.2 billion.

Deputy Minister Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that plans are currently being developed to minimize these losses.

As part of these efforts, it has been decided to waive the landing fees for aircraft arriving at Mattala Airport.

This new decision has already garnered the agreement of six airlines to land their aircraft at the airport.

Mattala Airport has an annual passenger handling capacity of one million.

However, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku pointed out that currently, only about 100,000 passengers use the airport annually. Plans are in place to increase this number to 200,000 within this year.

Additionally, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku highlighted that the 17-kilometer-long security fence around Mattala Airport is in a state of disrepair. Steps are being taken to renovate the fence and ensure the security of the airport.