Airport officials are considering the temporary closure of Mattala International Airport and the Ratmalana Airport due to the prevailing severe financial crisis, based on sources Lankadeepa reports.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Ports and Aviation said that the continuation of these airports was a major issue due to the economic crisis, difficulties in maintaining (maintenance) and the decrease the numbers of aircraft.
It is learned that the maintenance of the staff at the two airports in particular has come at a huge cost.
According to the sources, a luxury bus carrying staff for duty at the Mattala Airport travels daily from Katunayake to Mattala at a high cost.
Meanwhile, Ratmalana Airport is still an isolated airport, its employees said.
Ratmalana International Airport was ceremonially opened on March 27 and the Maldivian National Airlines flight that arrived on its maiden voyage on that day left empty handed.
It is reported that the opening ceremony of the airport had cost around Rs. 8 million.
