Discounts galore at Mattala

More concessions have been offered to airlines and passengers who opt to travel from the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport due be declared open on March 18, Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratna said.

He said pilgrims to Dambadiva and Mecca and migrant workers to West Asian countries would be offered discount packages to popularise the airport.

The minister said arrangements were also underway to provide aviation fuel at a lower cost to attract more flights to Mattala.

He said the Government planned to send 60 per cent of the export cargo from Mattala. “Most of the export items come from the villages. It will be easier for exports from some of the Provinces such as the Southern, Eastern, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces to be sent from Mattala,” he added.

Mr. Jayaratne said the concessions offered to international air- lines to use Mattala would also help them to reduce ticket fares.

He said Air Arabia and Korean Airways had agreed to fly thrice a week and Sichuan Airlines China and Emirates twice a week to Mattala. Among other airlines which have agreed to fly to Mattala are British Airways and Etihad.

He said the Government had signed agreements to offer Mattala as a transit point for Malaysians, Maldivians and Indonesians travelling to Mecca. Among other facilities would be the operation of domestic flight services from Mattala.