Mattala International Airport

Hambantota International Airport හම්බන්තොට ජාත්‍යන්තර ගුවන් තොටුපල ஹம்பாந்தோட்டை சர்வதேச விமான நிலையம்
IATA: none – ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type		Civilian
Owner		Sri Lankan Government
Operator		Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd
Serves		Hambantota
Location		Mattala, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Website		Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
		4,000	Asphalt

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^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[2] 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.^[3][4] The airport is being constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company.^[5] Upon completion, the airport will be operated by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.

History

In ancient times, Ussangoda in Ambalantota, was the legendary landing place of Ravana, the evil king of Hindu mythology 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 2012

Phase 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.^[3]

Phase two

A full length parallel Taxi way, a flying school, an airport hotel and recreational facilities.

Structures

Aerodrome

A new aerodrome 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.

Runway

Runway Length: 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) in length with a width of 75 metres.

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.

Airlines and destinations

Airlines	Destinations
Air India	Chennai
Mihin Lanka	Colombo, Tiruchirapalli
SriLankan Airlines	Chennai, Colombo, Delhi, Dubai, Malé, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirapalli

Objectives

The creation of Hambantota International Airport has the following objectives:^[6]

• 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 Port.
• 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 Matara, Moneragala and other close districts.^[7] 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.^[3]

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.^[3] It will also serve the Hambantota International Cricket Stadium which will host two fixtures at the upcoming 2011 World Cup.

Criticism

The project has received some criticism as the new airport will be built in current President Mahinda Rajapaksa'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.^[8]

See also

• Weerawila International Airport
• Hambantota Harbour

References

1. ^ "‘Mattala airport to be tourism, cargo hub end 2012’". The Daily News. April 25, 2011. http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/04/25/bus01.asp. Retrieved April 25, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Construction work at Hambantota International Airport starts
3. ^ ^{a b c d} http://sinhale.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/president-rajapaksa-inaugurates-proposed-hambantota-air-port-construction-work/
4. ^ http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1872-construction-begins-on-the-countrys-second-international-airport-
5. ^ China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. > Projects > New Projects > Mattala Hambantota International Airport
6. ^ http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/11/28/news19.asp
7. ^ http://www.shareordie.in/proposed-hambantota-airport-in-srilanka/
8. ^ http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2009/11/29/hambantota-airport-fueled-by-politics/

External links

• Official Hambantota International Airport Website
• Conceptual video of completed airport
• Mattala International Airport: Discussion on stockinfo.lk

Coordinates: 6°17′24″N 81°07′01″E / 6.290°N 81.117°E / 6.290; 81.117