Mattala airport in the middle of nowhere
Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s grandiose project in his hometown of Hambantota, is literally in the middle of nowhere with the new administration uncertain of its way forward as it grapples with cost-cutting as an initial move.
Ports and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga told the Business Times that they would be looking at cutting down on the huge expenditure incurred at the MRIA.
He pointed out that workers were recruited from Colombo and other areas in the south to work at the airport and it was adding to the costs.
However, he pointed out that the new government did not have concrete plans on what should be done with the new airport but would look at the possibility of engaging it as a business venture in the future. Mr. Ranatunga pointed out that some interested parties had wanted to use Mattala as a base for one airline while some budget carries were showing interest in operating from this southern airport.
Further, he said SriLankan Airlines would not continue flying to Mattala airport as it was a cost to the carrier though budget carrier Mihin would continue to do so.
In the meantime, Middle Eastern airline flydubai that commenced operations recently to Sri Lanka was also compelled to fly into Mattala as a result of which since they were not finding it to be profitable were now “keen on stopping” flights to the southern airport, the minister said.
Mr. Ranatunga explained that in this regard the airline had sent a document but since the contracts were made during the previous regime the new administration has tasked the legal departments to handle this matter concerning flydubai.