Sri Lankan government offers special concessions to international airlines operating to MRIA and CIAR
The government of Sri Lanka has reportedly decided to exempt the payment of landing and parking charges at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and Colombo International Airport Ratmalana (CIAR) for a period of one year with effect from 8 September.
According to reports, the government decision to provide special concessions to international airlines operating to MRIA and CIAR has been gazetted on an Extraordinary Gazette No.2192/21 on 8 September.
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has reportedly said the decision was made in a bid to attract international flights to the two airports.
At a meeting held to discuss the issues faced by the airlines and launching international flights at Mattala and Ratmalana airports recently, airline representatives had pointed out to the Minister that international flights have been hampered by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and had requested the Minister to make a submission to the Government in this regard.
Local media reports state that the government has also decided to suspend the export tax levied at MRIA for two years, to support exporters.
The Minister said a relevant proposal was also approved by the Cabinet of Minister and that the Finance Ministry is currently taking further steps in this regard.
OSL take:
The special concessions offered to international airlines is a definite attraction for airlines to use the two airports in Sri Lanka. This would further strengthen Sri Lanka’s path towards becoming a hub in the South Asian region. Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, ease of doing business environment and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country have made it a business hub in the region. Foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20200922/Z_2 |