Introduction
of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
Introduction of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport:
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) (also known as the Hambantota
International Airport) is an international airport serving the city of
Hambantota in southeast Sri Lanka. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is
Sri Lanka's third international airport, after Bandaranaike International
Airport and Colombo City Airport. It serves as the secondary hubs for Sri
Lankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka. It is named after the Rajapaksa family. It is
the newest and most developing airport in Sri Lanka. It is also the first
greenfieldairport in the country.
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 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. It 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. According to Sri Lankan government
officials, many international airlines such as Emirates (airline), Etihad
Airways and Qatar Airways have shown interests in flying to Mattala HRI in the
near future.
The airport is designed to facilitate for over 800 foreign
passengers at peak hours and several local passengers per every 1000 km² inside
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. The Chinese government is providing financial
assistance for the project. The airport is being constructed by the China
Harbour Engineering Company and that is their first airport construction
project ever taken. The airport is operated by Airport and Aviation Services
(Sri Lanka) Ltd whom also provides the air navigation services in Sri Lanka.
The airport was declared open by the President of Sri Lanka,
Mahinda Rajapaksa, on 18 March 2013 and commenced operations with the landing
of a SriLankan Airlines special Airbus A340 flight named 'City of Magam
Ruhunupura' with the President on board.
It handled nearly 6000 passengers in the first two months
after opening. The busiest international destination is Dubai closely followed
Bangkok in Thailand.
Low-cost domestic carriers Helitours and Cinnamon Air
connects the airport with Ratmalana International Airport and Bandaranaike
International Airport in Colombo.
Source:
SriLankan Airlines Flight Academy
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