Govt Announces Plans to Transform Mattala International Airport into Aircraft Repair Centre

The government is planning to convert the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Mattala into an aircraft maintenance hub, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament today(07) . 

During the committee stage debate on the budget, the Minister stated that the government intends to collaborate with a foreign partner to make the airport a profitable venture.

 He highlighted that MRIA, which was constructed at a cost of Rs. 36.5 billion, has suffered losses amounting to Rs. 38.5 billion over the past five years.

 The government aims to address this financial burden by repurposing the airport’s infrastructure for aircraft repairs and maintenance, attracting international aviation companies and generating revenue.