Hambantota to be a commercial hub:

New Airport Chief pledges to promote BIA

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

A highly decorated senior military officer, Prasanna Wickramasuriya has been appointed Chairman, Airport and Aviation (Pvt) Ltd from March 31, succeeding the former Chairman Chandima Rasaputra.

Having retired from the Sri Lanka Army after 21 years of gallant service he first joined a multi-national company and thereafter a leading Tea Export Company overseas which is a family business as the CEO and gained wide experience internationally.

He was interviewed by Daily News Business on his future plans.

Q: Being an ex-military officer what do you think about the new appointment as the Chairman of Airport and Aviation (Pvt) Ltd.

A:It is definitely a challenging position. I have taken it over in a very positive spirit. In keeping with the Mahinda Chintana President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision is to harness the blue skies and seas to make Sri Lanka the centre of the Asian Silk Route again.

I am confident that I can do this under the guidance of the Minister of Airport and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa.

Q: When looking back at your vast experience in the war front what do you feel about today's situation.

A:We have come a long way very successfully and we definitely can end terrorism very soon. As the Vice Chairman of Airport and Aviation for the past nine months I have identified the strengths and I know what has to be done. Terrorism had been one of the main barriers. We can go a long way to develop the Aviation industry in the country.

Q: What are your new strategies to develop the aviation industry in Sri Lanka?

A:First of all I want to have an efficient marketing team to promote our Airport.

The BIA is one of the finest airports in the region and it has a good future. My aim is to make the BIA, the world's friendliest airport. We can do this with a good marketing team and my staff.

Simultaneously, a second runway to facilitate the landing of the largest commercial airliner in the world, Airbus 380 will be constructed including eight more passenger gates, a separate domestic budget terminal, with a five-storey car park, and a star hotel neighbouring the airport.

New approach channels into the airport will be created. We handle six million passengers per annum and it is expected to double once it is completed.

Q: How long will it take to complete work on the second stage?

A:It will be completed by 2013.

At present we are working towards establishing another international airport in Hambantota. This will help promote Hambantota as a commercial hub in the south, I am also planning to upgrade the IT system which is very important. Introducing a free port concept at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is another idea according to the Mahinda Chinthana. The present duty free shops will not be sufficient once the number of passengers increase.

The global recession is another challenge we face. I want to promote more budget airlines to fly to Sri Lanka. Innovative ideas are very important at this juncture. Making the domestic airline more affordable will also be important with the development of the North and East. There will be many unexpected opportunities and we must make the maximum use of it.

"I want to envision a state-of-art commercial hub operating at this crucial transit point for all major airlines flying from the East and the West," he said.