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First test flight lands at Mattala

16 October 2012 07:41 am - 95     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A test flight has successfully landed at the Sri Lanka’s second International airport at Mattala in Hambantota a short while ago, an official said.

The main purpose of this test flight was to check out the air travel control instruments fixed at the Mattala Airport.






Pix by Sanath Gamage

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  Comments - 95

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  • Praneeth Tuesday, 16 October 2012 02:20 PM

    Great...!!!!

    We need infrastructure development all over the country..!!

    SL export Wednesday, 17 October 2012 12:00 AM

    I certainly dont want to have to travel for three hours after a ten hour flight to get to my house... via DM Android App

    Amit Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:09 PM

    This is to test the air traffic control and radar systems genius, not the runway itself.

    Herby Padmaperuma.. Tuesday, 16 October 2012 06:32 PM

    WHAT THE NEED OF THE DAY IS " MORE AIR PORTS THAN BUS STOPS.. THERE IS NO MIRACLE IN THE FIRST LNDING AT MATTALAL AIR PORT, UNLESS HE ENGINE WAS IN TROULE, INE AAS HE HAMBNTOTA PORT, HEREARE NO HUGE ROCKS AT TH MATTALA AI PORT. SO WHAT MIRACLE.? .WE HAVE AMPLE UNQUALIFIED PIOLETS ENJOYING FAVOURITISM APPOINMENTS.

    lucky peiris Tuesday, 16 October 2012 05:46 PM

    you are not Jesus may be satan. don't our precious Lord's name for your stupid comments.

    chin Tuesday, 16 October 2012 04:56 PM

    Shangri-La and other hotel chains already begun the designing.

    Bandula S Tuesday, 16 October 2012 04:23 PM

    Seems like you are a foolish expert in the airline industry. Find out why.

    Pramod Fernando Tuesday, 16 October 2012 04:27 PM

    To the attention of all negative minded people.........

    According to ICAO (Internation Civil Aviation Organization) a country like Sri Lanka should have two international airports. This rule does not apply to Maldives since it has only small islands and for any emergency they can use Colombo Airport.

    DM please publish my comment. It seems like lots of people do not know anything about ICAO. Thanks.

    sahdi Tuesday, 16 October 2012 04:14 PM

    WASTE WASTE....! TIME AND MONEY.WHY THESE DONKEYS CAN NOT UPGRADE OUR RATMALANA AIRPORT...

    John Fernandez Tuesday, 16 October 2012 04:18 PM

    Vijitha, you are a real fool. This is how a new airport run way and air traffic control is checked all over the world. Not by using large passenger aircraft.

    Sareek Tuesday, 16 October 2012 03:23 PM

    There will be no passanger aircraft and passanger terminl. only royal terminal and v.i.p aircraft

    chin Tuesday, 16 October 2012 03:21 PM

    It is a test craft fitted with all needed ATC testing equips.

    roza Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:16 PM

    From what i've heard.katunayake will be closed when mattala opens.there's a reason why ratmalana was renovated recently.they'll try to promote the local operators.so people could catch a domestic flight from hamba to ratmalana.imagine what flight crews will have to go through on a regular basis to travel to and from there.plus it's one of the windiest parts of the country.flying there wont be easy.

    Buddha Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:00 AM

    This type of flight could be landed even on the express way. utter waste of public funds. purely commission based project. via DM Android App

    Notahrismama Tuesday, 16 October 2012 02:08 PM

    What is a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air doing at Mattala? Curioser & Curioser!

    ampare son Tuesday, 16 October 2012 02:14 PM

    Jamaica has three international airport. but population one third of sri lanka. congradulation mattala.

    mfz Tuesday, 16 October 2012 02:12 PM

    ++Thanks to the Pakistani flight which risked landing in Mattala

    Thinuka Tuesday, 16 October 2012 01:53 PM

    100% correct vision and agreed

    vijitha Tuesday, 16 October 2012 01:59 PM

    This is a twin engine aircraft (not a Jet) according to the photo. There are more that dozen airports in Sri Lanka where this type of air craft can land.

    nihal Tuesday, 16 October 2012 01:40 PM

    primarily the Infrastructure in the area should be done in order to make Mattala useful to the public, let alone Profitable...when will our politicians realize this. Probably take another decade... which is quite normal in our country anyway !!!!!

    dave Tuesday, 16 October 2012 01:47 PM

    Whatever the openions of the People. This is a good work and it will lead to rapid development if the government will use this infrustructure facility correctly.

    Oshanda Tuesday, 16 October 2012 01:11 PM

    So the Air Port is build for KUrumbati machines.may be for the private jets of the Royal familly

    Shace-UK Tuesday, 16 October 2012 01:13 PM

    If you really want to test a runway you need to land a bigger flight like Boeing 747-400 not a private jet!!!!

    ind Wednesday, 17 October 2012 03:18 AM

    Not clear what are you saying !!!

    bandara Thursday, 18 October 2012 10:14 AM

    Jamaica also has many folds the tourist arrivals compared to Sri Lanka

    bandara Thursday, 18 October 2012 10:06 AM

    Jamaica also has many folds the tourist arrivals compared to Sri Lanka

    G K Fernando Wednesday, 17 October 2012 10:14 AM

    So are we expecting a News headline every time a Plane lands in Mattathala ?

    Chathu Wednesday, 17 October 2012 06:14 AM

    You ain't from Sri Lanka. Come to Sri Lanka and see by yourself of the infrastructure development.

    Chathu Wednesday, 17 October 2012 06:10 AM

    you do not even know who fund this project. Do you ??

    Gotabaya Wednesday, 17 October 2012 05:44 AM

    Reverting Back to Kingdom of Sri Lanka

    Medarawana Wednesday, 17 October 2012 04:59 AM

    The purpose was to test the landing guidance equipment, not the runway. Please read before you comment.

    Medarawana Wednesday, 17 October 2012 04:56 AM

    Janaki, what is your problem ?

    ABC Wednesday, 17 October 2012 12:00 AM

    waste of public funds!!. Feed the poor via DM Android App

    hmm Wednesday, 17 October 2012 03:53 AM

    niyamai.. rata rassawa karala lankawata awilla trip ekak daagenama gedata yanna puluwan.. hik hik..

    Samosa Wednesday, 17 October 2012 03:47 AM

    Is it called development? At this stage, Sri Lanka should develop what is more vital for economy to accelerate the economy. How many people from down south travel by air? This is going to be another fail project, just like Koggala domestic airport. International flights won't stop at Mattale, if only few people get down at Hambantota... Wat a waste, they should have developed Palali airport, cost would be lower plus it would be one of the busies airport with indians and northern tamils....

    Labby Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:53 PM

    It's all well and good so long as flights to and from Colombo airport are not stopped. Imagine the inconvenience if we have to go all the way down to Hambantota to board a flight while an international airport in Katunayake lies idle?

    ind Wednesday, 17 October 2012 03:04 AM

    You can go to India and board.

    kanan Wednesday, 17 October 2012 02:53 AM

    srilankan know mattala will not be a successful a/port and a failure

    MK Wednesday, 17 October 2012 02:12 AM

    ... its an airport.

    raj Wednesday, 17 October 2012 01:54 AM

    VERY NICE HAPPY THAT THE AIRPORT IS READY FOR BUSINESS

    sinha Wednesday, 17 October 2012 12:31 AM

    Mattala needs one to carry medamidulana clan to the viilage on tax payers money. before elections need to give a free ride to the voters.

    GonAliya Wednesday, 17 October 2012 12:16 AM

    Will there be a shuttle service from this air-port to Medamulana?

    Gas Gemba Tuesday, 16 October 2012 11:33 PM

    Sir
    This is a test flight... If you know what I mean..to test all the instruments, lights, comunication etc etc...
    Once everything is properly tuned we will bring in the big jets just like in Heathrow ...;>)LOL

    Lalith Tuesday, 16 October 2012 11:17 PM

    Sign of development.

    Derryke Tuesday, 16 October 2012 11:00 PM

    ho my god they mite thought colombo is so busy airport thats why making new airport after this no more flights to colombo my friend otherwise remamber ambathota port ha ha you get me

    Shace-UK Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:26 PM

    Mate I work for ATC Lasham in hampshire..just find out what this company do...as long people like you live in Sri lanka this government can take everyone for a ride!!!!

    roza Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:18 PM

    Also mattala just like the suriyawewa stadium is in the middle of nowhere!

    Bale Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:04 AM

    True. At least it will help take off the "white elephant" tag off it. Good luck!

    Kondebendapucheena Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:43 AM

    This will have impact after 10 years ,it won,t effective positively overnight but good to have second Air port for country like ours,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Good Luck

    ind Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:41 AM

    Even though the corruption at peak, development work too taking place. Anyway good work.

    silva Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:40 AM

    Very nice , more gold rolexes.

    Wara Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:38 AM

    give some time to to say whether it's waste or not.

    Wara Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:33 AM

    Good work.

    Ranjith Silva Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:29 AM

    Salute for the efforts in "Wonder of Asia" coming to reality..
    Let the few those who oppose will learn the right and wrong soon.

    ross bowen Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:27 AM

    Despite all the doubters I feel that this Airport will bring economic freedom to the SE . It however has to be monitored to make sure that the exploitation of tourism opportunities are not done to the detriment of the environment as has been the case in many other SEAsian destinations.

    Michael Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:00 AM

    will this be aanother hambanthota harbour. via DM Android App

    vijitha Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:14 AM

    Is a plane landing on an airport news?

    Tokyo Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:02 AM

    This might be the first & last , if they forcefully send Srilankan airline to land there. Jayawewa!!

    Ralph Anthony Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:01 AM

    Vast of public Funds, another White Elephant.

    felix Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:44 AM

    What is not sure is whether Katunayake will be closed permanently. If so the business travellers will get the hit. Imagine 3 hrs from Singapore and 3.5 hrs by road to colombo !!!

    Mevan Tuesday, 16 October 2012 08:54 AM

    Like the Mihin Air!!

    Janaki Kalansuriya Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:00 AM

    Good show? Mr. Impartial Guy, just you wait until you have to board your outbound flight from this airport and see if you share the same view, then.

    Dilan Tuesday, 16 October 2012 08:49 AM

    Cant wait till its open.

    Just Another Citizen Tuesday, 16 October 2012 08:47 AM

    All roads lead to Hambanthota

    tjeyar Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:00 AM

    Well wishes for Sri Lanka's fastest growing developments. via DM Android App

    Nishantha Rajapaksa Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:54 AM

    so who cares? How inconvenient will this airport be for a family coming from Nuwara for e.g.? Use common sense...

    Devaraj Tuesday, 16 October 2012 08:00 AM

    This is another step towards the goal- the wonder of Asia

    Thinuka Tuesday, 16 October 2012 08:00 AM

    Congratulation.. wish all the success !!!!

    The Truth Tuesday, 16 October 2012 08:00 AM

    Congratulations! But this is really a waste of public money.

    bigsam Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:50 AM

    Code name for this project is "white elephant"!

    Impartial Guy Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:46 AM

    Good show,keep it up.

    suj Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:19 AM

    Why would a family from Nuwara go to Hambanthota Airport. They can go to Katunayake. Use common sense

    Nishantha Rajapaksa Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:55 PM

    shut your mouth harida?

    Lobo Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:45 PM

    Bale......until airlines are willing to pay to use the airport it will remain a white elephant. In desperation the Govt is waiving off all fees but airlines are still reluctant to land there.

    kirala Tuesday, 16 October 2012 11:29 AM

    The only impact it will have is, it will increase the debt burden on the nation.

    Leo Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:57 AM

    But still no Hotels in Hambantota

    kodikara Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:54 AM

    GREAT !! LETS MAKE HAMBANTOTA THE CAPITAL

    Shams Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:50 AM

    all the bestr

    Ajith Kumara Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:47 AM

    Mattala = La Matta airport

    Jesus Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:37 AM

    May this flight be the 1st and the last
    Amen".........

    Ken Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:16 AM

    Wow great this should have happened 20 years ago. Great to see all these plans drawn up years actually get implemented. Credit must go where it is due great work keep it up!

    ind Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:23 AM

    When it come to a new air port, its a news !!! (All Vijithas a same)

    lk Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:19 AM

    you have a good taste of humour: "after 10 years" :D

    Roshan Tuesday, 16 October 2012 12:00 AM

    Wonder of Asia.. via DM Android App

    wsj Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:11 AM

    Yes! When there is a port with out ships calling !

    Azmi Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:08 AM

    greetings! It's a good benefit for tourism also southeast local peoples well done

    Ceylonese Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:07 AM

    However this airport and the sea port would be a good impact on a future investment zone if any on the cards. Don't think about a "family coming from a Nuwara". We need infrastructure first and the investments in second.

    ind Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:14 AM

    We need alternate airport in an emergency. For example, strike at Katunayake air port, or something like terrorist attack (may not happen in future) or any technical failure in Katunayake, we should have alternative air port. And also vise versa of your latter part of the comment, a person from Hambantota have to travel 3 and half drive to fly 3 hours to Singapore !

    mohamed asfar Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:10 AM

    good news.

    nalaka Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:02 AM

    Hay buddy once this Air port is up then the katunayaka Airport will be closed for renovation at that time please use the express way to the new airport

    ANTON Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:49 AM

    Time shows what is happening to the Hambanthota harbor.

    dalu banda Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:56 AM

    Well done , Sri Lanka need and alternative airport.

    Ranjith Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:55 AM

    Some guys are seeing crocodiles even in tea pot. They never appreciate what good things Govt do

    Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 16 October 2012 09:54 AM

    In theory the requirement of at least one alternate Commercial Airport for a country is not a thing to be bashed about.


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