Test run at Mattala airport successful

16 Oct, 2012

The test run carried out today at the Mattala airport using a test aircraft of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Department was successful, the Civil Aviation Department said.

The government information department quoted the Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd Prasanna Wickremasuriya as saying that more test runs will be conducted for a week at the new international airport.

He said that construction work of the Mattala International Airport in the Hambantota district would be completed at the end of the year and its commercial operation will be launched early next year.

The dual engine Beach aircraft used for the test run was piloted by a Pakistani pilot, Wickremasuriya said.

Construction work of the Mattala International Airport is being handled by a Chinese firm while the testing of the equipment is being carried out by the Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority.

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