Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Sri Lankan government is yet to approve the request made by three Gulf airlines to use Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as their operating base, it is reported.
The Middle Eastern airspace has been largely closed due to the war that began after the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Aviation experts say the demand has arisen because Mattala Airport has quick access to the busy European airspace and even the world’s largest aircraft can land at Mattala.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the relevant diplomatic missions, is now assessing the request.
The three airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, have made this request.