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No longer the world’s loneliest airport
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Story and pix by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi
The resurfacing of the runway at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, has resulted in a restriction in flights to and from that airport. This has led to many flights being diverted to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and a marked increase in passenger traffic there.
SriLankan Airlines flights to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as carriers such as FlyDubai and Indonesia’s Sriwijaya Air, also currently flying through Mattala.
In anticipation of increased flights to and from this airport in the weeks ahead, officials said necessary staff and passenger facilities have been put in place to meet increased demand.
Passengers who are ferried to the airport nearly three hours prior to flight departure times have to necessarily spend this time at the airport. To pass the time they indulge in diverse activities ranging from playing cards, to going online, to dining at the airports restaurants or idly watching the world go bye.
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was sarcastically referred to as the world’s loneliest airport
Passengers whiling away the time exchanging experiences
Bored children scour the internet using note books or tablets
Thanks to the resurfacing activities at the BIA, Mattala International is bustling with passengers
However all passengers are not happy with the three-hour wait at the airport in the middle of the jungle
Checked baggage lying around waiting to be loaded onto flights reminding us of a bygone era
Some while away their time playing cards