Sri Lanka says northern Palaly Airport will have all facilities of an international airport
Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reportedly said that Palaly Airport in the country’s northern Jaffna peninsula will have all basic facilities conforming to international standards and certified to that effect by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
Sources from the CAA have told the state owned Sunday Observer that initially the airport will be operational during day time and with the installation of an airfield lighting system, the airport would be operational throughout the day.
“All border control formalities will be carried out as usual and all basic facilities including Duty Free facilities will be available,” sources have been quoted as saying.
A few airlines in India have already expressed a desire to commence operations when the airport is commissioned for international operations.
The length of the runway is 2,300m of which 950m has been refurbished and it has a width of 45m.
The decision to develop the airport to operate regional commercial flights was taken on August 6th. The Cabinet memorandum in this regard was submitted by Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to develop the airport to operate commercial flights to promote tourism.
The development of the airport is to facilitate the operation of A320, Boeing 737, A318 and A319 aircraft.
The operation of the first commercial flight to South Indian destinations is scheduled to commence mid this month.
OSL take:
The launch of Sri Lanka’s third international airport in the country’s northern province would further increase the island’s connectivity with other countries in the region. It would also give a tremendous boost to the country’s trade and tourism sectors. Also, the country’s aviation industry has opened many business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses/investors. Given Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing business environment in the country and the many trade agreements as well as the trade concessions enjoyed by the country have made it an attractive business destination in the South Asian region.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/15102019/Z_8 |