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Old Mar 20, 2026 | 6:53 am
  #1  
ekgoldmember
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Emirates and Qatar Temporary Hub Colombo
Very interesting articles online today

https://onemileatatime.com/news/sri-lanka-ghost-airport-emirates-qatar-airways-hub/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2026/03/20/sri-lanka-in-talks-with-emirates-qatar-to-position-mattala-as-alternative-transit-hub
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Old Mar 20, 2026 | 7:39 am
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British Balikbayan
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Originally Posted by ekgoldmember
It would be good if Etihad did this as I can't get insurance cover for transiting through AUH. I actually think AUH is safer than DXB at he moment.
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Old Mar 20, 2026 | 7:39 am
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Originally Posted by ekgoldmember
Mattala is not near Colombo, it is on the south east side of the island. They built a new airport and now is largely unused. I don't know how they would use it as a connecting airport though, it is not very big, maybe two or three gates?
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Old Mar 20, 2026 | 12:54 pm
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tom tulpe
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That's a non starter.
No fuel or catering logistics to speak of.
No crew accomodation.
No trained airport staff.
No maintenance.
Not nearly enough gates or security checkpoints.
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Old Mar 20, 2026 | 2:25 pm
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Sri Lanka is definitely 3rd world
Originally Posted by tom tulpe
That's a non starter.
No fuel or catering logistics to speak of.
No crew accomodation.
No trained airport staff.
No maintenance.
Not nearly enough gates or security checkpoints.
No lounge to escape reality.
Not enough (luxury or otherwise) hotels nearby.
Little things like Western type healthcare is practically nonexistent. They do have traditional medicine. Ran into a couple people from Nepal that had full ride medical scholarships. which brings up a little gift from my time there- intestinal parasites. And I wasn't the only one. Many other travellers had the same issue. This is a recommendation. Eat in the upmarket restaurants. Hygiene is questionable at most other places.
Do plan your trip in advance. Even transportation can be an issue otherwise.
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Old Mar 20, 2026 | 10:36 pm
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pennywern
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This is not a serious idea. It's a tiny deserted airport in questionable maintenance condition, with 2 jetways. There's no way to get enough fuel there to support a major operation.
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