The Sri Lankan Government expects to begin flight operations at the country’s second international airport in 2012.
The Maththala airport will feature a 3.5km-long and 75m-wide runway, and will handle both international and domestic traffic as well as air-sea cargo trans-shipment.
The new airport is being built on a plot of 2,000ha in the Hambanthota district at a cost of $200m, according to local sources.
The Chinese Government is providing a loan for the airport project, which will be an alternative to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.