2024-07-04 11:52:26
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said here on Wednesday that the operation of the loss-making Mattala International Airport in Hambantota will be handed over to an Indo-Russian joint venture in the next few weeks. The Indo-Russian joint venture was handed over the management of the Mattala International Airport in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka in April. The airport was built by Chinese companies with Chinese loans. De Silva told reporters that action would be taken in the next few weeks to hand over the loss-making Mattala International Airport to the Indo-Russian joint venture.
Sri Lankan cabinet approved
Earlier, the Sri Lankan Cabinet meeting held on January 9 had approved inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential parties. Subsequently, five proposals were received and the Cabinet-appointed Consultative Committee decided to award the management contract for a period of 30 years to India’s Shaurya Aeronautics (Private) Limited and Russia’s Airports of Regions Management Company.
This airport was built by Mahinda Rajapaksa
Mattala Airport, named after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was one of the major infrastructure projects of Rajapaksa’s nearly decade-long rule. It is located in the town of Mattala, 18 km (11 mi) from Hambantota. It is the country’s first greenfield airport and the third international airport after Ratmalana International Airport and Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
This airport is lying vacant due to lack of income
The airport was inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in March 2013. Initially, several airlines flew to the airport, including Sri Lankan Airlines which established a hub. However, due to low demand, almost all of these airlines left Mattala by 2018. Due to the low number of flights, it has been proposed to provide long-term aircraft parking services as well as flight schools and maintenance services from the airport.