Mattala a dead airport, thanks to politicians

The first green- field airport in the country continues to be a dead airport due to poor political decisions by both governments. Our politicians have proved to have failed in the aviation business in the case of the two main airports and the national carrier. These state- owned economic institutions should be managed by industry professionals in the aviation business.

Those were the days you build an airport where flights will operate. Today’s markets have changed. You need to create markets for airlines to arrive. Not free parking /landing. Today every airport has a specialised team in promoting and developing its aviation business.

The only way forward for the MRIA ( Mattala Airport) would be to transform it to the modern aerotropolis model. MRIA is complimented by the nearby seaport.

The aerotropolis model, where airports are treated as key 21st- century drivers of business location and urban economic growth, is increasingly being incorporated into the competitive strategies of metropolitan regions around the world. The model is generating growing interest among airport operators and local governments as a way to better leverage their airports to attract business investment, generate revenues, boost trade, and create well- paying jobs.

Nowhere is this being played out more than in China, where over 100 airports and their surrounding areas are applying aerotropolis principles to foster these desired economic outcomes. The aerotropolis also contains the full set of logistics and commercial facilities that support aviation- linked businesses, cargo, and the tens of millions of air travellers who pass through the airport annually. These facilities include, freight forwarding and supply chain management; bonded warehouses, high- value food perishables, e- commerce, and pharmaceutical distribution facilities; office buildings, hotels, and convention and exhibition complexes; and health and wellness, research, and education services, as well as leisure and tourism venues. Appropriately sited and publicly serviced residential areas house many of the employees of these airport- area businesses.

LETTER

Shennal Angunawela (Aviation/Airline / Logistics Professional)