Mattala airport calls for EOI

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is now seeking investors to undertake investments and commercial operations of the facility in Southern Sri Lanka.

The Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry has today called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the country’s second international airport located in Hambantota.

The airport has economic opportunities since it is being declared as a specified bonded area or free trade zone; and is located in the agro-industrial, marine economic zones of the country; and is the growth engine for tourism, trade and other development activities in the region.

The announcement highlighting the bankable and commercial attractiveness has stated that investors would be granted government tax holidays as afforded by the Board of Investment (BOI); long term lease options; and exemptions from exchange control regulations as well.

The aerodrome facility consisting of a 3500 m x 60 m runway, apron, taxiways, and passenger cargo terminal is a 24 hour full service operations airport that can accommodate the world’s biggest cargo and passenger aircrafts.

The open skies policy with all nine freedoms of the air being available to ensure liberal aviation environment, the announcement stated.

The airport is stated to be located north of the Hambantota deep water sea port with key East Wwest shipping lanes traversing just 10 km south of the Hambantota port.

In addition on average, it was noted that about 239 ships pass this route on a daily basis and is in close proximity to the major tourism hot spots of the country.

The airport also has a domestic air taxi connectivity between two international airports and 14 domestic airports, the statement said.

The EOI documents could be obtained until August 11, 2016 with a visit to the location conducted on July 18. The closing date for submission of EOIs is August 12. (SD)