recommendation for second runway is from IATA...what will happen if an aircraft meet with an accident in the runway...all outbound flights would be delayed

the first priority would be to build that new terminal, Aero bridge etc. After that stage 2 development we will handle 15 million passengers per year. we may handle that 15 million pax with one runway but not comfortably. just look at indian airports with more than 10 million passengers per year, they all have 2 runways except one airport (but it has well spaced 4000m runway)

we may not need second runway for now but after decade or something like that we will definitely need it. so better to be prepare

Why Mattala could not take off: Here’s the plane truth

By NaminiWijedasa

Since it opened two years ago, much was done to make Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport viable. Little or nothing has worked. Incentives have included rock-bottom handling, landing and parking charges. Businesses were offered exemptions on customs duty, exchange control and import-export regulations to set up shop in surrounding areas. Even liquor was cheaper at the duty free. Since April, there has been an open skies policy over the ailing facility. Among other things, international airlines are free to use the airport as a base for commercial operations. But there are still no takers. The possibility of turning MRIA into an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre is again being discussed. This would require a further cash injection.



Experts say Sri Lanka is now saddled forever with an airport whose runway orientation is wrong. Pic by Indika Handuwala

Of the scant traffic recorded at the facility, the majority were SriLankan Airlines flights that made heavy losses on the sector. These, too, ceased in January. Others were carriers that had been constrained to operate some frequencies to Mattala as part of their air service agreements. There could be fresh moves to market Mattala as the airport of choice for migrant workers. This strategy failed in the past.

Full read http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150628/new...th-154888.html

Full read http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150628/new...th-154888.html

So where is the investigation into this entire project?

There needs to be full accountability. This includes prosecuting the people responsible.

Closing this airport would be a good start imho.

Any news on BIA expansion project?

Paddy Marketing Board considers taking MRIA stores

The Paddy Marketing Board was looking at the possibility of using stores at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) to store the paddy harvest of the Hambantota District in the Maha season, a top official told the Daily Mirror today.

PMB Chairman M.D. Dissanayake said they had requested the authorities to look into the matter after learning that there were some vacant stores at the MRIA.

However, Dissanayake said they had not reached a final decision as yet regarding the matter and added that it was a normal practice to use stores of other government institutions such as stores of army, Food Commissioner Department and Co-operative Development for storage facilities.

“It is not a new practice. We have already used stores belonging to the Army and some other government departments for storage facilities,” he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)
- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/83267/boar....3fwoyI32.dpuf

Second runways is recommended, due to the same reason you mentioned. Unless MRIA to Colombo (where most of the passengers original destination would have been .. ) there is some High speed train or such service, treating MRIA as a backup airport is not the best idea.

Also CMB need extra aircraft parking space and new terminal urgently because Oman Air (double daily), FlyDubai (triple daily), Air China (Daily), China Eastern (Daily), Austrian Airlines (resume once a week) are going to boost the flights to Colombo from Winter 2015.

Please watch the current video of CMB - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXQF_NZXgjg . You can see CMB filled with many aircraft.

Welcome to the new AASL web site

Oh my freakin goodness. The person who designed and approved doesn't know English.

Welcome to our new website. We're delighted to bring you the "beta" version of our new website.

I assume they meant to say better or is beta an IT word?

Beta is an IT term unless the web page designer was talking in Harlem english XP

Beta testing is done before a software, program or in this case a website is fully launched to the public.......as you can see many links in that site do not function

BIA capacity expansion to kick-off by year end in 2015

wow more delays.....first July '15, then September '15 and now this

Sorry but Why on earth they are keep on postponing the phase2 project for CMB?
CMB aircraft movements are increasing since UL, WY, FZ, MU, CA, TG, OS are expanding out of CMB effec W15. CMB can't manage all the flights with single terminal and limited remote aprons. Also due to this lack of facilities at CMB is loosing attention from other international airline. Loved to see brand new CMB terminals and more and more flights.. i.e. more UL, JAL, KLM Etc..

What's the story with the drama in HRIA ?

I heard the airport staff are objecting to the airport being used to store Paddy