By: Staff Writer
February 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Marxist JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) government is attempting to breathe life into the underused Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, recasting it as a strategic gateway for tourism rather than a symbol of sunk cost. Officials say the time has come to transform the near-empty airport into a functioning southern hub that can ease pressure on Bandaranaike International Airport and directly serve resort zones.
At a recent media briefing, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam outlined what he termed a practical “game plan”: secure scheduled commercial flights. For years, MRIA has depended largely on sporadic charter services during peak seasons. The absence of regular airline operations remains its core weakness.
The proposed revival hinges on a coordinated marketing and operational strategy involving tour operators, the Civil Aviation Authority, and Airports and Aviation Services Sri Lanka. Authorities want to reposition Mattala as a credible “alternative airport” for scheduled services and flight diversions.
However the airport’s troubled history complicates the pitch. Airlines have often preferred diverting to India’s Trivandrum International Airport instead of landing at Mattala, citing operational familiarity and concerns over wildlife hazards. The airport’s well-documented encounters with birds and even elephants straying near runways damaged its reputation in global aviation circles.
Officials now say they are working with the International Civil Aviation Organization to strengthen safety certifications and standardise wildlife risk mitigation. Without internationally recognised compliance and demonstrable safety upgrades, however, marketing campaigns may struggle to persuade risk-averse carriers.
From a tourism perspective, the logic appears compelling. Mattala sits within driving distance of high-demand attractions such as Yala National Park, Ella, and the southern beaches. Direct arrivals could shorten travel times and reduce congestion in Colombo. Officials argue that with improved expressways linking the South, connectivity obstacles have eased compared to a decade ago.
However, infrastructure alone does not generate passenger traffic. Airlines prioritise yield, load factors, and network integration. A secondary airport requires either strong origin-destination demand or incentives that offset commercial risk. Sustained subsidies or fee waivers may attract initial flights, but they strain public finances already under pressure.
Policy inconsistency further clouds viability. Sri Lanka’s recent record of abrupt tax changes, regulatory shifts, and economic volatility has dented investor confidence. Long-term aviation planning demands stable fiscal and regulatory frameworks qualities the island has struggled to guarantee.
The NPP government’s ideological shift from its predecessors also raises questions about continuity. Investors and airlines will seek assurances that commitments made today will survive political cycles.
Rebranding Mattala as a tourism-friendly southern gateway is politically attractive and geographically logical. But aviation success depends less on slogans than on consistent policy, proven safety standards, and commercially viable passenger demand. Without those fundamentals, the runway lights may shine brightlywhile aircraft remain scarce.
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