The Abu Dhabi based Rotana Jet airlines began its flights to Mattala International Airport today.

The airline is to make three flights a week to the Mattala and Katunayake International Airports.

Rotana Jet would use an Airbus 319 for these flights which are scheduled from the Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

There are plans to increase the number of flights to six per week.

These photographs of the Rotana Jet’s first flight are from Rahul Samantha of Hambantota.

[caption id="attachment_1591" align="alignnone" width="300"] The 'water salute' to the Rotana Jet aircraft[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1592" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Rotana Jet aircraft being guided on the tarmac[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1593" align="alignnone" width="300"] Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris with Rotana officials[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="300"] The crew of Rotana Jet's maiden flight to Mattala[/caption]