The Sri Lankan government has lifted a ban on night flights at Bandaranaike International Airport, restoring faith in the country’s flailing tourism industry.
International carriers will be able to resume night time operations from this evening, following news that authorities have taken defensive steps to defend the airport from Tamil Tiger offensives.
“Proactive measures have been set in place at the airport to ensure a delightful experience to all passengers at the airport, with the new facilities enhancement programme nearing completion,” confirmed Chandima Rasaputra, chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services.
The formal reopening of the airport was led by senior Sri Lankan government officials, including the Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of Tourism, Deputy Minister of Tourism, chairman and the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Airport and Aviation Services and the chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.
Minister of Tourism, Milinda Moragoda said that he expected airlines to resume flight schedules that were in place before the night closure.
Meanwhile the country’s tourism industry was confident that the return to normal was a step in the right direction towards rebuilding Sri Lanka’s shattered tourism industry: “With the softening of travel advisories we are planning for some aggressive promotional activities to increase the bookings for the winter period,” said Dileep Mudadeniya, additional director general – marketing, Sri Lanka Tourist Board.
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