MRIA special

MRIA, alternate aerodrome to BIA

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, while serving as an alternate aerodrome to the Bandaranaike International Airport, would bring more business ventures to the region.

This will reduce unnecessary congestion to Colombo and the suburbs. The tourism and hospitality industries would flourish with the integrated development of the port and airport in the South.Considering the economic development of the Southern region, it was forecast that over 500,000 passengers would use this airport in 2028 i.e. after 15 years since the commencement of its operations.

The forecast cargo volume is 50,000 metric tons and air traffic volume is 6,250 operations per annum.

To cater to these requirements, a runway of 3,500m in length and 60m in width, which will accommodate code 4F aircraft has been built. A taxiway of 370 m in length and 60 m in width, an apron with 10 parking positions has been constructed for the new airport. These are the primary civil aviation infrastructure required for an airport of international standard.

A 10,000 square metre passenger terminal building, 1,000 square metre cargo building and a 35 m air traffic control tower are the key elements of this new airport. Modern equipment will comprise the air navigation system. A dual lane ground access system to the airport will be available from Hambantota, Embilipitiya, and Thanamalwila. The project construction period was from 2008 to 2012 while the funding sources were the Government of Sri Lanka and the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.

Mattala airport project details

The project to construct Sri Lanka's second international airport at Mattala, Hambantota was launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 27, 2009.The airport will be a boon to the local aviation industry while being a catalyst for the economic development of the Southern Province by enabling international trade, tourism, vocational training and employment.

The new airport will be geared to support both international and domestic travel and air-sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the Hambantota sea port and will be the alternative to the Bandaranaike International Airport. The amount spent on the entire project is US$ 220 million. The Chinese government provides financial assistance. The area allocated for the airport is 2,000 hectares. Construction takes place in two stages:

Stage I - Initial development

Basic aerodrome facilities, runway, apron, taxiway, passenger and cargo terminals Access roads, accommodation for officials, fuel farm, sewerage treatment plant, water supply facilities, meteorological building, fire building, catering facility and car park

Stage II - Second stage development

A full length parallel taxiway, a flying school, an airport hotel and recreational facilities

Development goals

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. has identified the following potential investment opportunities that are being offered to prospective investors under the Stage I development program of the airport.

Aviation training
a. Pilot training
b. Aeronautical engineering

Aviation-related industries
a. MROs (Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling)
b. Livery services
c. Aircraft manufacturing
d. Aircraft storage parking
e. Component manufacturing
f. Flying clubs

Hospitality
a. Hotels
b. Recreation activity providers - ballooning
c. Hospitality training schools

Utility providers
a. Renewable energy
b. Water supply - desalination/waste water treatment

Warehousing facilities
Aerotropolis

Aviation-related services
a. Fuel farms
b. Bunkering services for private parties

Food processing Other aviation-related industries

Tomorrow's program

* Arrival of President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa at 10 a.m.

* The hoisting of the National Flag by the President

* The unveiling of the plaque and the official launch of the

MRIA

* Welcome address by Minister of Civil Aviation, Piyankara Jayaratne, MP

* Special cultural performance

* Address by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa

* Address by the guest of honour

* Issuing of commemorative stamp and the First Day Cover

* Address by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

* Vote of Thanks by the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.

* Closing ceremony

Lankan Captain pilots inaugural Air Arabia flight to Mattala

The inaugural Air Arabia flight G9508, scheduled to take off to Mattala tomorrow, will be manned by Captain Narada Ranasinghe, the only Sri Lankan captain working for Air Arabia.

After having obtained his CPL from Lion Air and Instrument Rating in Melbourne, Australia, the old Anandian stepped into the cockpit at the age of 25 as a young Cadet Pilot at SriLankan Airlines in 2000. Ranasinghe wore his Four Stripes as a Captain in 2009 on Airbus A320 and A330, while he was still serving SriLankan Airlines.

In 2011, Captain Ranasinghe joined Air Arabia as the first Sri Lankan pilot to work for the airline. He considers it a privilege to be landing the inaugural Air Arabia flight at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and becoming a part of the nation's historic milestone.

The Airbus will be flown by Captain Ranasinghe from Sharjah International Airport tomorrow with passengers onboard and will land at Mattala at 10.30am. The budget airline company is expanding its presence in the island by operating twice a week flights between Sharjah and Mattala, which will be increased to four times a week by May 2013.