The national airline, Maldivian, announces its decision to commence flights to Ratmalana International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka this month.
Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), which operates Maldivian, announced the airline will be starting flights between Velana International Airport (VIA) and Ratmalana International Airport on March 27. IASL stated all of its flights to Colombo will hereafter be operated to Ratmalana Airport. IASL revealed a two-way ticket between Male' and Colombo through Ratmalana will cost USD299. The flights will be operated every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Ratmalana Airport was the first and main international airport of Sri Lanka until the inauguration of Bandaranaike International Airport in 1967. It is located closer to areas with high Maldivian populations in Sri Lanka, compared to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Therefore, flights to Ratmalana would provide better connectivity to many Maldivians in Sri Lanka.