Mattala International Airport
Encyclopedia
The Mattala International Airport
is an international airport currently under construction in Mattala, in the Hambantota District
in the south of Sri Lanka
. Upon completion, the Mattala International Airport will be Sri Lanka's second international airport, joining the Bandaranaike International Airport
.
Initially the plan was to build an international airport serving the south of Sri Lanka at Weerawila
, but these plans were scrapped due to environmental concerns. The site was then moved to Mattala, a small town located 15 kilometers north of Hambantota. Construction on the $209 million first phase of the airport began in November 2009, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
The new international airport is expected to expand the local aviation industry whilst being a catalyst for the country’s economic development enabling international trade, tourism, vocational training and employment. It is also being implemented as an eco friendly project. The airport is estimated to cost US $210 million and by the end of construction will cover 2,000 Hectares in total. The new airport is being built to be compatible with the latest Airbus A380
aircraft and has been designed according to recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization
. The airport is designed to facilitate for over 800 foreign passengers at peak hours and several local passengers per every 1000 km² in side the buildings. It will be made to support air-sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the nearby Hambantota Port
, which is about 15 miles away, and would act as an alternative to the Bandaranaike International Airport
from the date of its completion in 2011. The Chinese government
is providing financial assistance for the project. The airport is being constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company
. Upon completion, the airport will be operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.
, was the legendary landing place of Ravana, the great king of Sri Lanka who piloted a special peacock chariot across the skies.
designed to meet the ICAO specification for code 4F is to be built. Annual Service Volume of the aerodrome at short and medium/long term planning horizons will be 30,000 and 60,000 movements respectively.
Apron: 10 parking positions initially with the total being 80.
, Moneragala
and other close districts. It will also benefit other parts of the country. It will also have a positive impact on tourism in the Southern Province
. Unlike the previous Weerawila International Airport
project this one will not affect agriculture in the area according to a government report. However it is not yet clear whether Yala National Park
, Kalametiya and Bundala National Park
would be affected in the long run even though it has been environmentally approved.
The proposed extension of the rail link from Matara to Kataragama and the completion of the Colombo-Matara Highway in next two years time would boost travel to the Southern Province. The new airport would serve as a cargo hub to the Eastern Province
along with the Port of Hambantota
which will be opened around the same time. It will also serve the Hambantota International Cricket Stadium which will host two fixtures at the upcoming 2011 World Cup
.
's hometown, reportedly as a political decision. The Hambantota area is one of the poorest in the island nation and as such cannot be expected to help the airport generate considerable passenger traffic. Many industry professionals have criticised the project instead calling for the government to further improve the already crowded Bandaranaike International Airport
, which is situateed in a district that has not traditionally given a considerable political support to the current President.
Mattala International Airport
The Mattala International Airport is an international airport currently under construction in Mattala, in the Hambantota District in the south of Sri Lanka...
is an international airport currently under construction in Mattala, in the Hambantota District
Hambantota District
Hambantota District is located on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, in the Southern Province. It has an area of 2,593 km² and a very dry climate. The district capital is Hambantota town; the administrative headquarters are located there as well as the center of salt production...
in the south of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. Upon completion, the Mattala International Airport will be Sri Lanka's second international airport, joining the Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...
.
Initially the plan was to build an international airport serving the south of Sri Lanka at Weerawila
Weerawila International Airport
The Weerawila International Airport was a proposed airport in Weerawila, in the Hambantota District in the south of Sri Lanka. It was intended to serve the southern and eastern parts of the island. Initially to be completed by 2009, it was scheduled to be the second international airport in Sri...
, but these plans were scrapped due to environmental concerns. The site was then moved to Mattala, a small town located 15 kilometers north of Hambantota. Construction on the $209 million first phase of the airport began in November 2009, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
The new international airport is expected to expand the local aviation industry whilst being a catalyst for the country’s economic development enabling international trade, tourism, vocational training and employment. It is also being implemented as an eco friendly project. The airport is estimated to cost US $210 million and by the end of construction will cover 2,000 Hectares in total. The new airport is being built to be compatible with the latest Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
aircraft and has been designed according to recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
. The airport is designed to facilitate for over 800 foreign passengers at peak hours and several local passengers per every 1000 km² in side the buildings. It will be made to support air-sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the nearby Hambantota Port
Port of Hambantota
The Port of Hambantota is a maritime port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The first phase of the port was opened on 18 November 2010, with the first ceremonial berthing of the naval ship "Jetliner" to use the port facilities. Hambantota Port is built inland and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports...
, which is about 15 miles away, and would act as an alternative to the Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...
from the date of its completion in 2011. The Chinese government
Government of the People's Republic of China
All power within the government of the People's Republic of China is divided among three bodies: the People's Republic of China, State Council, and the People's Liberation Army . This article is concerned with the formal structure of the state, its departments and their responsibilities...
is providing financial assistance for the project. The airport is being constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company
China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd
China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd or CHEC is an engineering contractor which provides infrastructure construction, such as marine engineering, dredging and reclamation, road and bridge, railways, airports and plant construction...
. Upon completion, the airport will be operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.
History
In ancient times, Ussangoda in AmbalantotaAmbalantota
Ambalantota is a coastal town in southern Sri Lanka. It's located inSouthern Province in Hambantota District between Matara and Hambantota.The Walave River meets sea at near place to Ambalantota....
, was the legendary landing place of Ravana, the great king of Sri Lanka who piloted a special peacock chariot across the skies.
Planning and construction
This project will have two phases, with the first phase expected to be completing in December 2011 with the first flight scheduled to land in January 2012.airline operators expressed their keen interest to commence operations in Mattala once it is commissioned in March 2012Phase One
Phase One began on 27 November 2009 at Mattala. The initial construction will cover an area of 800 hectares. The airport will have one runway and a taxiway that will be expanded in the second stage to allow larger planes to land. Environmental approval has been granted for the project. It will be constructed under an environmentally friendly green concept with the construction of several lakes and green landscapes included in the project. The project is designed and will be implemented by Sri Lankan engineers.Phase two
A full length parallel Taxi way, a flying school, an airport hotel and recreational facilities.Aerodrome
A new aerodromeAerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
designed to meet the ICAO specification for code 4F is to be built. Annual Service Volume of the aerodrome at short and medium/long term planning horizons will be 30,000 and 60,000 movements respectively.
Taxiways
60 metre long taxiway from the runway centre line to the edge of the apron.Apron: 10 parking positions initially with the total being 80.
Terminal
Terminals and other buildings will occupy a proposed 10,000 square metres to accommodate 800 peak hours and 100 domestic passengers both ways.Other features
Hambantota International Airport will include domestic/regional and international passenger and cargo terminals, warehouses, as well as being compatible for seaplane/amphibious operations etc. It will have facilities for pilot training, technician training, aircraft maintenance and charter/private jet parking.Objectives
The creation of Hambantota International Airport has the following objectives:- To play a vital and supportive role in the development activity in the Hambantota region and capture market share of the regional traffic growth.
- To promote air-sea transshipment hub operation in conjunction with the Hambantota PortPort of HambantotaThe Port of Hambantota is a maritime port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The first phase of the port was opened on 18 November 2010, with the first ceremonial berthing of the naval ship "Jetliner" to use the port facilities. Hambantota Port is built inland and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports...
. - To play a key component in the development efforts of the Eastern and Southern coasts.
- To be an alternate airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
- To facilitate the establishment of a gateway for economic and investment infusion in Sri Lanka.
Benefits
This project is expected to stimulate the development and infrastructure in the area, raising living standards of the people not only in Hambantota, but in nearby MataraMatara, Sri Lanka
Matara is a city on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, 160 km from Colombo. It is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka. It was deeply affected by the Asian tsunami in December 2004.-History:...
, Moneragala
Moneragala
Moneragala is a city in Sri Lanka. It is located in Moneragala District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka.-References:...
and other close districts. It will also benefit other parts of the country. It will also have a positive impact on tourism in the Southern Province
Southern Province, Sri Lanka
The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. The region is economically backward compared to the Western province, where the capital Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte is situated...
. Unlike the previous Weerawila International Airport
Weerawila International Airport
The Weerawila International Airport was a proposed airport in Weerawila, in the Hambantota District in the south of Sri Lanka. It was intended to serve the southern and eastern parts of the island. Initially to be completed by 2009, it was scheduled to be the second international airport in Sri...
project this one will not affect agriculture in the area according to a government report. However it is not yet clear whether Yala National Park
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Actually it consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names also, like Ruhuna National Park for the block 1 and Kumana National Park or...
, Kalametiya and Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of Birds, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo, which migrate in large flocks. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a...
would be affected in the long run even though it has been environmentally approved.
The proposed extension of the rail link from Matara to Kataragama and the completion of the Colombo-Matara Highway in next two years time would boost travel to the Southern Province. The new airport would serve as a cargo hub to the Eastern Province
Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
The Eastern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but they didn't have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...
along with the Port of Hambantota
Port of Hambantota
The Port of Hambantota is a maritime port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The first phase of the port was opened on 18 November 2010, with the first ceremonial berthing of the naval ship "Jetliner" to use the port facilities. Hambantota Port is built inland and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports...
which will be opened around the same time. It will also serve the Hambantota International Cricket Stadium which will host two fixtures at the upcoming 2011 World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
.
Criticism
The project has received some criticism as the new airport will be built in current President Mahinda RajapaksaMahinda Rajapaksa
Percy Mahendra "Mahinda" Rajapaksa ; ; born November 18, 1945) is the 6th and current President of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. A lawyer by profession, Rajapaksa was first elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1970, and served as prime minister from April 6,...
's hometown, reportedly as a political decision. The Hambantota area is one of the poorest in the island nation and as such cannot be expected to help the airport generate considerable passenger traffic. Many industry professionals have criticised the project instead calling for the government to further improve the already crowded Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...
, which is situateed in a district that has not traditionally given a considerable political support to the current President.