Beating the odds: Mercedes-Benz VITO goes round Sri Lanka on one full tank

Achieving a truly outstanding milestone in mileage, Mercedes-Benz announced the successful completion of its unprecedented “Around Sri Lanka in One Tank with VITO Challenge”.

Organised by DIMO PLC, the ambitious adventure was designed to definitively prove the Benz VITO van’s unmatched fuel economy, resulting in a record three- day journey spanning over 1,324 kilometres of Sri Lanka’s stunning coastal belt, all on just a single 70 litre tank of fuel, DIMO said in a media release.

Leading the charge around the island was accomplished driver and passionate motoring journalist, Sam Smith, who put the Benz VITO through its paces throughout the long journey. Starting from the DIMO Mercedes-Benz showroom in Colombo, Mr. Smith travelled south along the coast to Yala on Day 1 where the drivers were treated to a brief but memorable stay at Cinnamon Wild having achieved a fuel economy of 18.5 km per litre.

Thereafter, the two Benz VITOs moved back up along the East coast crossing scenic coastal cities at Arugam Bay, where they were welcomed at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon with an average of 19.45 km/ l economy totaling 718 km, before setting a course for the tall palms of Jaffna on the third and final day of the road trip with the longest and the most challenging day ahead of them.

“I have to say that this was quite a challenging drive, especially over the second and third days. We didn’t modify the Mercedes-Benz Vito very much: it was run with the normal tire pressures and air conditioning for the entire drive. The first day was fairly straightforward, and we were able to end the day winding down at the beautiful Cinnamon Wild hotel. But from there on, it was pretty challenging. We started our day well before sunrise and continued on,” he said.

“It took a fair amount of adjustment for us to modify our driving technique to achieve such an incredibly high fuel economy. During this learning period, our fuel economy was 16 km per litre, which was below our target of 21 km per litre, however, with gradual acceleration and the focus of keeping up momentum, we were able to get the VITO performing right on the mark,” Mr. Smith added, according to the media release.

With one day and half of the country to travel, Mr. Smith acknowledged that even he had some serious doubts as to whether the Benz VITO would pull through the final North- South stretch from Jaffna through Kalpitiya to Colombo; doubts which were rigorously tested in the final hours of their journey.

“By the time we had reached Kurunegala, our fuel tank registered as completely empty and at that point we were just determined to push the vehicle as far as it could possible go. We had to be very patient with our driving technique but in the end what seemed impossible at the start of the day gradually got closer within our reach and so we were all overjoyed when we made it past Wattala and back to the DIMO showroom where it all began,” Mr. Smith said.

Completing this impossible journey with an average fuel efficiency of 20.8 km per litre, the Around Sri Lanka in One Tank with VITO challenge effectively cemented the van as easily the most fuel- efficient vehicle available in the local market.

“Generally, I would say that the Sri Lankan driving style is not one which is immediately suited to ensuring you get the most fuel economy. However, for those who are willing to change their approach, you’ll be totally surprised at just how much of a difference this can make.”

There is a need to expand local markets to build sub-hubs at second tier airports.

Politicians called the port and the airport a white elephant project, for political gains. This political football with no strategic development plans or vision to execute the operations has led to selling these economic institutions. Every airport in the world will experience start- up challenges. So did the Dubai World Central airport (DWC). Political objectives over economic objectives will end up with macro-economic problems. Short term measure will not give sustainable growth to the country.

Airports are now key nodes in the global economy - serving as engines of local economy development. These institutions should be managed professionally and developed into business hubs.

As an island, Sri Lanka needs to connect and keep up with the rest of the world. The aviation industry and the tourism industry of today and tomorrow are much different than what it was yesterday. Tourism and the aviation industry complement each other – a symbiotic relationship. The growth in tourism industry directly reflects onto the air transportation.

The role of today's airport operators has also changed. If our airports want to attract new airlines into this country, it must commit to making marketing a top priority. Increase airports connectivity and enhance its attractiveness as a vibrant hub.

As the global economy expands and the balance of spending power shifts, the airport’s economic role is changing.

The aviation industry is a valuable transportation asset because of the direct impact transportation has on the national and international economies. Airports contribute billions of dollars per year to local economies and create thousands of jobs either directly or indirectly. Air travel not only connects people, but it connects economies to further develop the global economy. Airport development is linked with economic development.

Trends in airport marketing shows incredible value being unlocked in airports. Take Changi airport and Dubai international, two airports that have become thriving aviation hubs in addition to a large contribution of income to their nations. It is no exaggeration to say that the air route is the lifeline that each airport relies on, to survive and develop. Airlines are airports’ major clients; therefore, it is important that an airport knows how to market airports effectively among airlines to establish business partnerships.

With the development of economic globalisation, the route networks of airlines are continuously expanding and, at the same time, more and more airports are emerging all over the world. Airlines keep screening and comparing airports with new destinations while airports keep trying to host different airlines. As the global economic situation is not optimistic, airlines attach great importance to flight revenue and consider the air route planning from market conditions and economic benefits.

Some global airline hubs have relatively limited runways and slot resources. Therefore a number of airlines start to do market research among second- tier airports in the hope of finding new profit engines and new space for business expansion. It is not hard to see that these second- tier airports are facing brand new opportunities for development. Except the home base airlines, other airlines are usually less familiar with the markets of the areas where the airports are located than the airports themselves. Airlines attach great importance to the development of second-tier airports. If now a second-tier airport can provide professional and highly reliable market promotion, it is very likely that airlines decide to exploit this market. In this way, this airport can stand out among all its competitors, which is of great significance.

Passenger numbers will keep increasing every year. Take a cue from our neighbour - the Indian aviation market. The Indian aviation market is expected to grow to 1