Qatar Airways flights airport at Hambantota from next year

Qatar Airways, one of the five star airlines in the world, has consented to operate flights to the country’s second international airport at Hambantota from next year. Aviation Minister Priyankankara Jayaratne said they had discussion in this regard with Qatar authorities recently who responded positively in this regard. He said that in addition, Fly Dubai, a budget airline operating from Abu Dhabi will also be operating flights to the country’s second international airport in Mattala.

Deccan Aviation from Sri Lanka has also spelled out plans to launch cargo flights based from the proposed Hambantota International Airport (HIA).

Meanwhile, SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena said that they are keen in getting involved in the cargo and ground handling sectors as well as take over the catering business at the Mattala Airport which is expected to get off the ground end of the year.

He said that the national carrier SriLankan Airlines installed a flight simulator in Colombo last year to train pilots, flying narrow bodied aircraft. “We are hoping to acquire an additional wide bodied simulator this year which is likely to be installed in Mattala,” he said. With the commissioning of the domestic airport in the Colombo International Airport Chandrasena also mulled plans of Mihin Lanka operating internal flights to Mattala. “SriLankan is also looking at taking over some of the operations such as catering in Ratmalana which is to be upgraded as a City Airport,” he added.

He also disclosed that for the first time the airline is also looking at installing self check in kiosks at the Colombo Airport.

Chandrasena who is also the CEO of budget airline Mihin said that this year they would go on a major expansion drive in all sectors and target to have a fleet of 27 aircraft and five air taxis. He said that the 2012 budget allocated a financial injection of US $ 100 million each for a period of five years for Mihin Lanka’s investment plans.

Commenting on the national carrier profits, he said that if the oil prices which has increased by over 27 percent remains stable they should be able to show profits from 2014.

Airport and Aviation Services Limited (AASL) Chairman Prasanna Wickramasuriya said that the building of the US $ 190 million Hambantota Airport is on schedule. He said that they have already contracted a hotel to build an airport hotel and request for proposals are being called to woo investors to the HIA Project. “The HIA will also offer a tax free investment zone and they are trying to get international airliner servicing companies, training schools and other support services to start up businesses in the proposed zone.