Authorities expect
the first aircraft to land in the Mattala international airport in the year 2012, Ranjith de Silva, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation told www.news.lk today.According to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, 8,000 acres have been set apart for the country's second international airport and preliminary work on the 3.5 kilometre runway is already underway.
He said plans are afoot to launch training programmes for youth who will be the potential employees of the airport. Once completed, this project will create 2,000 direct and 5,000 indirect employment opportunities.
The new airport will be a boon to the local aviation industry while being a catalyst for the economic development of the southern province through the enabling of international trade, tourism, vocational training and employment.
The new airport will be geared to support both international and domestic travel, air-sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the Hambanthota sea port and will be the alternative to BIA. It will be ready for operations in 2012.
The project will be carried out under two stages of development.
'Stage I - Initial Development' will include Basic Aerodrome Facilities, Runway, Apron, Taxi way, Passenger and Cargo Terminals.
It will also have 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' will include a full length parallel Taxi way, a flying school, an airport hotel and recreational facilities.
Hambantota Magampura Port (Harbour) on Google Maps
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