SriLankan told to “hold” Addu scheduled flight operations

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has asked SriLankan Airlines to hold its planned launch of direct flight operations between Gan, Addu City and Colombo, Sri Lanka – scheduled to start on December 1.

SriLankan Airline announced plans to start scheduled direct flights between Gan and Colombo in October.

It announced that it would operate four weekly flights between Gan and Colombo.

The airline has made all necessary preparations, and opened one of its ticket sales centers in Addu City and started selling its tickets this November.

Director of Air Transport of CAA, Abdulla Rasheed reported that the Gan International Airport was being upgraded, and that the system upgrades needed to handle international scheduled flights were not complete yet.

“There’s no problem with chartered flight or private jet operations. But if it’s scheduled flights, it means a lot of passengers coming in at once. We need to upgrade passenger clearance systems,” said Abdulla Rasheed.

He said government border control agencies weren’t yet ready to handle scheduled international flight operations in Gan International Airport.

“We are working on it. We have informed UL, to put a hold on the flight operations for the moment,” said Abdulla Rasheed.

General Manager of Addu International Airport Company (AIA), Ibthishama Ahmed Saeed reported to “Sun” that no official date for SriLankan to start scheduled flight operations between Gan and Colombo had been decided during negotiations between both parties.

“Though its ok for chartered international flights to operate, there are major things that need to be done before scheduled flights can start,” said Ibthishama, indicating upgrade needed on

“Border Control for Expatriate Workers and Locals Automated System.”

Ibthishama said runway expansion and seaplane terminal would be complete and the necessary certification received on November 15, but said she couldn’t say when the whole upgrade project on Gan International Airport would be completed.

“The completion of immigration system and such – an official date for when the airport will be opened will be announced depending on the progress of that work,” she said.

Information officer of Maldives Immigration, Hassan Khaleel reported CAA had not made any official notification of launch of direct scheduled flights between Gan and Colombo, and that the company only heard about it from the media.

Khaleel said Immigration was aware of the upgrade work being carried out on Gan International Airport, and would work on anything that needs to be done on its side once notice was given through official channels.

An official from SriLankan who requested anonymity said it was believed Immigration did not have the budget to establish the necessary systems in Gan International Airport.

The official said it was likely other airlines would discard plans for direct international flight operations in Gan if SriLankan were to abandon its plans.

“The people of Addu and Fuvahmulah are waiting impatiently for this. But this, now, is a slap on their face.”