The government plans to transform Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) into an aircraft maintenance hub, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament yesterday (07th).
During the committee stage debate on the budget, the Minister stated that the government aims to partner with a suitable foreign investor to make MRIA a profitable venture.
He highlighted that the airport, built at a cost of Rs. 36.5 billion, has suffered losses amounting to Rs. 38.5 billion over the past five years.
The government’s goal is to turn it into a revenue-generating institution.
This initiative seeks to utilize MRIA’s existing infrastructure for aircraft repairs and maintenance, potentially attracting global aviation companies.
