Mar 02, Colombo: Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based United Arab Emirates national budget airlines announced Saturday that it will fly to Sri Lanka's second international airport at Mattala in Hambantota in the south.

Air Arabia will add twice weekly non-stop services between Sharjah and Mattala beginning with the inaugural flight on March 18.

Flights from Sharjah will depart from International Airport on Thursdays and Sundays, the airline said.

From May 19, the budget airline will increase services to Mattala four times a week to accommodate summer travel.

The launch of services to Mattala will complement Air Arabia's existing nine weekly flights from Sharjah to Colombo. The airline currently offers daily flights to Colombo, twice daily on Tuesdays and Fridays.

"Our new service to Mattala is in direct response to passenger demand, and while contribute to the trade and tourism ties between UAE and Sri Lanka," Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said in a statement.

The new route marks Air Arabia’s 84th destination worldwide.

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