RATMALANA, Sri Lanka’s oldest airport 13km away from Colombo, is being developed to accommodate limited international flights mainly from private jets and small aircraft, according to officials.
An average of about 30 corporate jets and small aircraft that bring in high-spending tourists or business travellers currently land per month at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), 35km north of Colombo. BIA is the only airport in Sri Lanka that caters to international flights.
Johanne R. Jayaratne, executive director, Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka, said the Ratmalana airport will be ready for international operations by the end of the month. Runway renovations are underway and a new, first-class terminal is being added.
Jayaratne said the volume of corporate jets has increased by 27 per cent in the past 12 months, which makes more landing options necessary.
Pietro Addis, general manager at Amanwella in southern Sri Lanka, which is part of the Aman Resorts chain, said: “If it’s a quick, exclusive and beneficial service (fast turnaround at customs and immigration), it would be a useful airport.” Some of Amanwella’s guests arrive on corporate jets.
