Nine traffic rights for airlines operating from Colombo to Mattala

Colombo (News1st): All airlines which used to operate via Colombo to Mattala had been granted all nine air traffic rights since those airlines had refused to carry out their operations in Mattala Airport due to declining passengers and bird strikes. This was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering, and Mihin Lanka yesterday (January 14). Director Air Transport and Economic Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority Rehan Mario Wanniappa further informed the commission, that the Civil Aviation Authority issued 7 additional rights to Fly Dubai, to entice them to continue services at Mattala airport. Speaking on temporary operating permits, the witness stated that such permits are issued due to insufficient time to form bilateral agreements, and the issue of such permits are not specifically stated in the law. Wanniappa also informed the commission that a requirement to issue transit visas for hong kong based transit flights are currently underway and this issue has been raised at the Civil aviation authority of Hong Kong. He stated, however, that SriLankan does not fly to Hong Kong at present.