Two new cargo airlines have expressed an interest in commencing operations in Sri Lanka from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reveals.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business on Thursday (27), CAA Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sagara Kotakadeniya stated that during the previous week, two cargo airlines had expressed their intent to commence operations at the BIA and MRIA.
Commenting further, he stated that the aim of the CAA was to make the MRIA a hub for air passengers and cargo.
“The interest to commence operations at the MRIA is very positive. Therefore, we have encouraged them to come to the airport. One airline will be coming to the MRIA and the other to the BIA,” he stated.
He stated that the entry of these cargo airlines to Sri Lanka was a positive development because on one hand, they could cater to the country’s cargo transport needs while on the other hand, they represented a viable means of generating revenue through the collection of parking charges and handling fees.
Accordingly, Kotakadeniya stated that they would proactively engage with these cargo airlines to facilitate their entry to the country.
He further revealed that Cathay Pacific had verbally consented to expand its operations in Sri Lanka from two flights per week to five flights per week.
Source: The Morning
