Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
මත්තල රාජපක්ෂ ජාත්‍යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපළ
மத்தல ராஜபக்ஷ பன்னாட்டு விமான நிலையம்
IATA: HRI – ICAO: VCRI
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Sri Lankan Government
Operator Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd
Serves Hambantota
Location Mattala, Sri Lanka
Time zone SLST (UTC+05:30)
Elevation AMSL 48 m / 157 ft
Coordinates 06°17′20″N 81°07′25″E / 6.28889°N 81.12361°E / 6.28889; 81.12361Coordinates: 06°17′20″N 81°07′25″E / 6.28889°N 81.12361°E / 6.28889; 81.12361
Website www.airport.lk/mria
Map
HRI

Location of airport in Sri Lanka

Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 3,500 11,483 Asphalt
Statistics (2014)
Passengers 20,474
Cargo (t) 69
Aircraft movements 2,984

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) (IATA: HRI, ICAO: VCRI) is an international airport serving southeast Sri Lanka. It is located in the town of Mattala, 18 km (11 mi) from Hambantota. It is the first greenfield airport and the second international airport in the country, after Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. The airport is named after the Rajapaksa family.

MRIA was opened in March 2013 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who ordered the construction of the airport. Initially, several airlines flew to the airport, including SriLankan Airlines which established a hub. However, due to low demand, most of these airlines left Mattala. As of May 2016, three airlines fly from the airport to destinations within Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.

Due to the low number of flights, it has been proposed to offer long-term aircraft parking services as well as creating flying schools and maintenance services to be offered from the airport.[2] In 2016 the Sri Lankan government called for Expressions of Interest to run commercial activities of the Airport as the airport is not generating enough revenue to pay back the loans. It has been called the "The world's emptiest International Airport" due to its low number of flights despite the large size of the airport.[3][4]

During its hub operations at Mattala, SriLankan Airlines flew Airbus A330 (shown here) and Airbus A340 widebody aircraft to the airport
ATC tower
Walkway to airport exit
Check-in facilities
Waiting area

History

A second international airport for Sri Lanka was considered for various reasons. Congestion was increasing at Bandaranaike International Airport, and an alternate airport was desired.[5][6] In addition, the Rajapaksa government wanted to revitalise the tourism industry following the civil war. An airport in Hambantota District would be located close to several tourist attractions, including Arugam Bay, Nuwara Eliya and Yala National Park.[7] Hambantota was also the home town of the president at time, Mahinda Rajapaksa.[8]

It was initially planned to expand Weerawila Airport into an international airport, but the plans were scrapped due to environmental concerns. The site was then moved to Mattala, a small town 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of Hambantota.[9]

Construction

Strategic Enterprises Management Agency (SEMA) of the government was against creating an international airport in Mattala, and instead recommended the expansion of BIA facilities and improving the Airfield in Puttalam as an emergency landing strip due to lower transport costs, it being already situated near an air corridor, and less environmental damage. However this was overridden by the government.[10]

US$209 million were spent on the project, with $190 million provided by the Chinese government via the Exim Bank of China.[11] Construction of phase one began on 27 November 2009.[12] By the end of February 2012, the construction of the runway, apron and taxiways was completed ahead of schedule.

On 16 October 2012, a Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority became the first aircraft to land at the new airport. It was an instrument testing aircraft fitted with ATC testing equipments. The test flights continued for 8 days for testing the ILS and other flight controls fixed in the new airport.[13]

On 24 January 2013, Sri Lanka Minister of Civil Aviation Piyankara Jayaratne said in parliament that the airport would be declared open on 18 March 2013. A SriLankan Airlines Airbus A330-200 landed at the airport on 29 January 2013. This was the second plane to land, shortly followed by an Airbus A320, which carried 125 orphan children from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.[14]

In March 2013, the Civil Aviation Authority awarded MRIA international airport certification, allowing it to receive international flights.[15]

The airport was opened for flight operations on 18 March 2013. President Rajapaksa, his ministers, and other dignitaries arrived in a SriLankan Airlines Airbus A340 to attend the inauguration ceremony.[16] The first commercial flight to land at Mattala was SriLankan Airlines Flight 226 from Dubai, followed by an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah and a Flydubai flight from Dubai.[17]

Later developments

As the access road is rarely used, pieces of the safety net on the access road have been removed to create gateways for cattle to enter the road. The malfunctioning light system makes the road preferable for wild elephants to roam at night and the road is also used to dry pepper harvests.[18]

The unused air cargo terminals were leased by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) to store the rice bumper harvest from the region which allowed the Airport to make revenues larger than flight-related activities.[19] In 2016, over 300 soldiers, police officers and volunteers were deployed to chase away wild animals from the airport. Fire crackers were used to scare away the animals, however the operation was unsuccessful and a bigger operation was planned.[20]

Flight services

Several airlines served Mattala in the beginning, but the majority soon ended service. Air Arabia ended its flights from Sharjah only six weeks after beginning service, citing low demand.[21][22] SriLankan Airlines operated a hub at the airport until 2015. In triangle routings through Colombo, the airline flew to Bangkok, Beijing, Chennai, Jeddah, Malé, Riyadh, Shanghai, and Tiruchirappalli from Mattala. The hub was closed on 17 January 2015, as the airline was accruing great losses on the routes.[23] Mihin Lanka flew from Mattala to Gaya and Medan but too ended flights.[24]

As of early 2016, two airlines remain at Mattala. Flydubai and Rotana Jet operate triangle routings through Colombo to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, respectively. Cinnamon Air began direct flights to Colombo in May 2016.[25]

Terminal

The passenger terminal covers 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft) and can handle 1 million passengers per year. It has 12 check-in counters and 2 gates equipped with jetways.[26] In addition, the terminal has a restaurant, medical centre, and a lounge for business class passengers.

Runway

MRIA has a single runway, 05/23. It measures 3,500 m (11,483 ft), making it capable of receiving the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.[26]

Other facilities

The air traffic control tower stands at a height of 35 m (115 ft). The airport cargo facility occupies 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) and can handle up to 50,000 tonnes of freight per year.[26]

In 2014, a fuel hydrant system and an aircraft refueling terminal were completed. The fuel hydrant system was built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) at a cost of USD$7 million, while the refueling terminal was constructed by a Dubai-based construction company at a cost of USD$31 million.[27] Previously, fuel had to be transported by bowser from tanks at Hambantota Port, sometimes resulting in flight delays.[28]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
flydubai Dubai–International[lower-alpha 1]
Rotana Jet Abu Dhabi[lower-alpha 1]
SriLankan Airlines
operated by Cinnamon Air 		Colombo–Bandaranaike[lower-alpha 2]

Criticism

MRIA has been called a white elephant of Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency. It was part of Rajapaksa's plan to transform Hambantota District into a commercial hub; other projects included a cricket stadium and an international port.[29][30] However, the plan was considered a pet project of Rajapaksa, as Hambantota District is his home district but is also poor and largely rural.[6][29]

As a result, there has been low demand for flights from Mattala, and the airport has accrued significant losses.[31] While MRIA is located close to many tourist attractions such as Yala National Park, it lacks adequate transport links.[9]

In 2004 a report produced by the International Air Transport Association claimed that money would be better invested in a second runway at the BIA than a new airport. Aviation experts have claimed that the runway orientation of the airport makes the aircraft face dangerous crosswinds. Sri Lankan pilots were also not consulted when the airport was planned.[32]

In addition, environmentalists have criticised MRIA's being built in an elephant and migratory bird habitat. During the planning stages of the project, environmentalists had warned of the threat to wildlife, but construction went ahead.[33][34][35] 2,000 acres of forest were cleared to build the airport, displacing about 200 elephants. Migratory birds, which frequent the area, have been involved in collisions with aircraft approaching or departing from MRIA.[36]

Future plans

A second stage of expansion was planned but has not commenced as of early 2016. Under this stage, the terminal would be greatly expanded, with the number of jetways raised to 15. In addition, a new hangar and cargo apron would be constructed. Stage 2 would raise MRIA's capacity to 5–6 million passengers per year.[27][37]

Accidents and incidents

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Flydubai's and Rotana Jet's flights stop in Colombo in both directions. However, the airlines do not have the rights to transport passengers solely between Colombo and Mattala.
  2. ↑ Cinnamon Air's flights stop in Dickwella, Koggala and Bentota. However, the airline does not sell flights solely between Mattala and these cities.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.caa.lk/images/stories/pdf/annual_report/AR2014.pdf
  2. ↑ "economynext.com". www.economynext.com. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  3. ↑ "For Sale: The World's Emptiest International Airport".
  4. ↑ "The Story Behind The World's Emptiest International Airport".
  5. ↑ "Flights from BIA via Mattala". Daily Mirror. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  6. 1 2 Hardy, Michael (29 November 2009). "Hambantota Airport Fueled By Politics". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Mattala airport to boost tourism industry". President's Media Division. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  8. ↑ http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21697982-chinas-newest-export-its-financial-system-good-and-ill-nowhere-hide
  9. 1 2 Smith, James C. (11 January 2016). "“On paper Sri Lanka has two airports”: Mattala Rajapaska International, the airport without planes". CityMetric. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ Abeywickrema, Mandana I. (12 May 2013). "Concerns Over Mattala Performance". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  12. ↑ President Rajapaksa inaugurates proposed Hambantota Air Port construction work « Sinhale Hot News. Sinhale.wordpress.com (28 November 2009). Retrieved on 9 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "First test flight lands at Mattala international airport". President's Media Division. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  14. ↑ SriLankan spreads its wings to bring the thrill of flying to children
  15. ↑ "MRIA awarded International Airport Certification". Sunday Observer. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "A new chapter in Sri Lanka's aviation history marked". Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "MATTALA RAJAPAKSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAKES WING". The Times of Sri Lanka. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  18. ↑ http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/06/only-peacocks-fly-out-of-the-mattala-mahinda-rajapaksa-international-airport-watch-video/100251
  19. ↑ http://newsfirst.lk/english/2016/01/matala-airport-records-greater-revenue-from-non-flight-related-activity/124939
  20. ↑ http://www.sundaytimes.lk/98669/troops-clear-wild-animals-from-mattala-airport
  21. ↑ "Air Arabia Cancels Mattala/Hambantota Service from May 2013". Airline Route. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "Air Arabia suspends flights to Mattala". Daily Mirror. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Sri Lankan Airlines cancels flights to Mattala from tomorrow". Sri Lanka Guardian. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "SriLankan Airlines & Mihin Lanka outlook improves following strategic adjustments by new government". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "Cinnamon Air to operate Mattala flights". Aviation Voice. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  26. 1 2 3 Maslen, Richard (18 March 2013). "New Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport Opens in Sri Lanka". Routes Online. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  27. 1 2 "Mattala Rajapaksa (formerly Hambantota) International Airport, Sri Lanka". airport-technology.com. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Plane delayed at Mattala". Daily Mirror. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  29. 1 2 Bearak, Max (31 March 2015). "Sri Lankan ex-president's vanity airport project grounded by cash crunch". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  30. ↑ Bengali, Shashank (30 March 2015). "Sri Lanka confronts ex-leader's extravagant projects in 'middle of nowhere'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to be closed during the night to minimize losses". The Ceylon Independent. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  32. ↑ http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150628/news/why-mattala-could-not-take-off-heres-the-plane-truth-154888.html
  33. ↑ Kuruwita, Rathindra (18 February 2016). "Development – at what cost?". Environment Conservation Trust. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  34. ↑ Rodrigo, Malaka (18 March 2013). "Airport in Elephant Territory opens today". Window to Nature. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  35. ↑ Berenger, Leon (19 January 2014). "Religious beliefs save Mattala peacocks, but threat persists". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  36. 1 2 Kannangara, Nirmala (31 March 2013). "Mattala International Airport In Mid-air Battle". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  37. ↑ Cassim, Nisthar (11 March 2013). "MR Intl. Airport promises ‘New journey begins here!’". Daily FT. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  38. ↑ "Bird attack on SriLankan flight to Mattala". Sri Lanka Guardian. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  39. ↑ "Panic as peacocks hit plane at MRIA". The Sunday Times. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2016.

External links

Media related to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

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