Aviation Southern International Airport - Sri Lanka

Walter LIYANARACHCHI

Vision of the government of Sri Lanka is to enhance the economy of least developed regions of the Island. Hambantota and Moneragala districts are identified as potential regions and Greater Hambantota development programme was designed to uplift economic activities of the region. The concept of a second international airport for Sri Lanka originated in 1938. The Government's Manifesto contained in the "Mahinda Chintana" emphasises the establishment of a second international airport in Sri Lanka.

The proposed international airport, whilst serving as an alternate aerodrome to the Bandaranaike International Airport, would bring more business ventures to the region. This will reduce unnecessary congestion to Colombo and suburbs. Tourism industry would be flourished with the integrated development of port and airport in the southern region.

Considering the economic development of southern region, it was forecast that over 500,000 passengers would use this airport in the year 2028 i.e., after 15 years of its operation. Forecast Cargo volume is 50,000 metric tons and Air traffic volume is 6250 operations per annum.

To cater above service requirements a runway of 3500m length and 75m width, which will be accommodated code 4F Aircraft. Taxiway of 370m in length and 60m in width, Apron with 10 parking positions will be sufficient for the new airport.

There are the primary civil aviation infrastructures required for an airport in international standards. A square meter 10,000 Passenger Terminal building, square meter 1,000 Cargo building and an air traffic control tower are the key elements of this new airport. Modern states of the art equipment will be provided to improve the navigation system. Duel lane ground access system will also be available from Hambantota, Embilipitiya and Thanamalwila to the proposed airport.

The aviation sector which is closely amalgamated to the airports had developed to greater extent during the past four years. Special attention had been drawn to new plans to improve the services and several projects are in progress and more proposed projects are on the cards.

The Government's Manifesto contained in "Mahinda Chintana" - Randora emphasizes the establishment of a second international airport in Sri Lanka while pursuing action to develop 13 existing domestic airstrips, thereby providing the nation with a modern air transport network that will support the enormous development activity envisaged within the next five years.

The primary function of the second international airport is to support the mega development activities taking place in the southern region of the country specifically the Hambantota District Development Initiative. This initiative consists of the development of an International Convention Centre, the Hambantota Sea port, an Administrative Complex, an Oil Refinery and other similar commercial initiatives.

Sustainable development is the most crucial element in the creation of this airport. It is believed that sustainable development can be achieved by creating the intricate balance between the environment, society and the economy. This is the credo the airport development programme will follow.

Objectives

To play a vital and supportive role in the development activity in the Hambantota region to capture market share of the regional traffic growth.

To be a key component in the development efforts of the East and Southern coasts.

To be an alternate airport to BIA, offering tremendous fuel and weight savings to airlines, resulting in increased passengers or cargo volume to the country.

To facilitate the establishment of a gateway for economic and investment infusion into Sri Lanka.

Cost

Summarized version of the project is as follows:

. Estimated Project cost - US$ 209,000,000 (US Dollars two hundred and nine million)

. Extent of land - 2500 hectares in total. Initial construction limits to 800 hectares.

. Aerodrome design - The aerodrome will be designed to meet the ICAO specifications for Code 4F

. Runway length is proposed as 3500 m and the width is proposed as 75 m

. Taxiways - Recommended to have a 60 m long taxiway from the runway centre line to the edge of the apron.

. Apron - 10 (ten) parking positions will be provided initially. The pavement of the parking apron - 80.

. Airfield capacity - Annual service volume of this aerodrome at short and medium long term planning horizons will be 30,000 and 60,000 movements respectively.

. Terminal and related buildings - size of which is proposed to be 20,000 sq.m to accommodate 800 peak hour and 100 domestic passengers two ways.

. Departure facility requirements - Approximately 12 check-in counters.

The area required for check-in counters and queuing is approximately 250 sq.m.

. Departure Emigration counters - Area required for emigration counters and queue is 230 sq.m.

Outward Security boarding gates and circulation - Space required for one gate holding room is 500 sq.m. In the case of A380 operation, gate holding room area requirement is 700 sq.m.

. Arrivals facility requirement - Immigration area - space required is 370 sq.m. including queuing.

. Baggage Reclaim Area and Customs Check-in - The area required is 900 sq.m.

. Air Traffic Control Tower would be provided at a suitable location within the aerodrome, collocated with the passengers terminal.

. Cargo Building - This will be a single stories structural steel building to facilitate initial demand.

. Fire & Rescue Facility - In conformity with the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, the level of protection to be provided at the airport.

Modern and sophisticated equipment to be used for passengers’ safety and convenience. ANCL File photo

AERONAUTICAL - DIRECT

PASSENGER

. Domestic regional and international passenger traffic

. Domestic/regional passenger hub

. Budget airline attractant

. Seaplane/Amphibious operations

CARGO

. Domestic/regional and international cargo movement

. Warehousing

AERONAUTICAL - INDIRECT

. Pilot Training

. Mechanic Training

. Maintenance Hub (MRO)

. Charter/private jet parking

. Moth balled aircraft/junkyard (Dry climate benefit)

NON AERONAUTICAL

INVESTMENT/FINANCIAL

. Aerotropolis concept

. Duty Free shopping hub

. International Financial Centre

. Investment Incentives

. Industrial Parks

. IT Parks

TOURISM RELATED

. Hotels

. Restaurants

. Car rentals

. Resort activities (Golf, Scuba, Deep sea fishing)

. Recreational activities etc. Recreational activities, etc.

Funding

Funding alternatives for the construction of the airport are: self funding, loans, grants, government to Government or Commercial Loans, BOT, BOO and public private partnership.

Materializing a second international airport in Sri Lanka from concept to reality is the driving force behind this project.

The successful conclusion of this project will highlight the Government's effort to increase the economic development and investment strategy of the Greater Hambantota Development initiatives as well as the nation at large, through "Randora", a programme initiated by the National Infrastructure Development programme which comes under "Mahinda Chintana". As a company, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., (AASL) is committed in its effort to achieve this goal through effective corporate governance, fairness and integrity. The initial expenditure of construction cost shall be borne by AASL.

It is strongly believed that this project will achieve stability through financial and operational performances.

BIA new lounge

Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd. (AASL) proudly announced the launch of the "Silk Route" Lounge - an exclusive pathway that will provide a smooth and hassle-free entrance for Commercially Important Passengers (CIPs) through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in May of 2009.

As guests of the lounge, CIPs will have the opportunity to relax in luxury and comfort and will be provided with an exclusive and expedited immigration and customs process. The "Silk Route" is specially designed so that the ambience is conducive not only for passengers enjoying a short break in journey, but also for those requiring thorough and continuous connectivity.

There is widespread anticipation that foreign investment to Sri Lanka will progressively improve in the near future bringing with it an increased flow of CIPs.

Therefore, from Sri Lanka's economic point of view it is important and necessary that state-of-the art facilities and high service standards are in place to resonate the country's growth potential to these prospective stakeholders," he further added.

New Airport

Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd is a fully government owned company. It is one of the leading public business undertaking making a great contribution to the national economy and it is the institutional mechanism of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) through which economic benefits of civil aviation industry are channelled to the nation's coffers. The company is among the top most profit-making blue chip companies in Sri Lanka.

It is actively involved in the national infrastructure development drive of the GOSL especially in the field of aviation and the construction of the southern international airport at Maththala in the Hambantota district is one of such mega project, which is currently on its public work schedule.