Air Arabia begins flights to Mattala, Sri Lanka
Air Arabia touched down at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Sri Lanka, the first international carrier to arrive at the airport.
The maiden flight was marked by an official Air Arabia delegation and was welcomed by high-level dignitaries including His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Air Arabia also celebrated the occasion of first international arrival in Mattala, after the new Rajapaksa International Airport was inaugurated yesterday.
“Since inception about a decade ago, Air Arabia has prided itself on being an airline of firsts. Today, we are extremely delighted to become the first international carrier to arrive in Mattala, further reinforcing our commitment to expand our presence in Sri Lanka,” said, Adel Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia.
The carrier currently operates two weekly services between Sharjah and Mattala, to be increased to four times weekly starting May 19, 2013. On Thursdays and Sundays, flights depart from Sharjah International Airport at 21:30 and arrives Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport at 03:50. Return flights on the will depart next day from Mattala at 04:30 and arrive in Sharjah at 07:40 (local time).