Colombo Airport Ratmalana-A Beginning of a New Era

By Johanne Jayaratne

Colombo Airport Ratmalana is one of the Civil Airports maintained and operated by Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL), which is located in Ratmalana just 14 km south of  Sri Lanka’s Business Capital of Colombo.

Colombo Airport Ratmalana was the first international airport in Sri Lanka.  Flights were operated by the country’s first national carrier – Air Ceylon. With the increase of international flights to and out of Ratmalana, the entire international travel operation was shifted to the Airport at Katunayake in 1968.

However, local airlines continued their domestic aviation operations from Colombo Airport Ratmalana to different local destinations.

In 2012, AASL declared Colombo Airport Ratmalana as a City Airport and developed it to the standards necessary to accommodate International Corporate Jet Operations.

Today, Colombo Airport Ratmalana is home to Domestic operators of scheduled / charter flights encompassing both Fixed Wing Aircraft and Helicopters. The Airport is also the main training ground for students ranging from Pilots and Flight Dispatchers to Aeronautical Engineers

Today

Colombo Airport Ratmalana has a single runway with an orientation of 04/22, a length of    1,773m and a width of 30m, making it capable of receiving 3C type of aircraft.

Colombo Airport Ratmalana is the Domestic Aviation Hub in Sri Lanka and facilitates all 15 registered Domestic Airlines in Sri Lanka. The Airport also provides hangar facilities to 10 operators and handles approximately 70 aircraft movements per day.

136 international corporate jet movements were entertained at the airport in 2017 showcasing its potential as the international gateway for corporate jets carrying high profile tourists, businessman, and other high net worth individuals (HNWIs).

Future- The Way to 2030

Master Plan for 2018-2030 Approved by the Cabinet

The Master Plan for the Colombo Airport Ratmalana was developed and approved by Cabinet last week. It envisions the future for the airport from 2018 – 2030 to position it as the ‘’Exclusive Gateway to Colombo, Sri Lanka’’. The plan lays out a comprehensive implementation programme to achieve this goal.

The Airport has great potential to attract the Niche market of corporate jet traffic and cater to the exclusive passenger profile it serves.

Given the socio-economic changes taking place within the country and in the region,  Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) remains poised to address emerging opportunities and  to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry.  We believe that the future growth and development of Colombo Airport Ratmalana is linked closely to the economic growth and prosperity of our community.

The strategic significance of the Masterplan

The Colombo Port City Development which will be positioned as a major financial hub similar to that of London, New York or Singapore, will be greatly benefited by the Ratmalana Airport’s development by facilitating corporate jets, which would holistically blend in with the domestic aviation hub located at the airport. The close proximity of the Airport to the Port City and access to any part of the country through the domestic aviation network are all pluses to the international businessman visiting the Port City.

The combination of international corporate jet operations linked to the domestic aviation network further strengthens the tourism industry.

Further, significant interest has been shown by foreign investors to establish aviation related operational bases for FBOs and MRO operations at the airport. We are particularly looking for a world class corporate jet FBO to establish itself at the airport thereby adding considerable value to this Niche market.

In addition to the corporate jet operation, there is also a growing demand by new domestic airline operators to establish themselves at the airport. Some of these operators will be establishing training facilities for Pilots and Aeronautical Engineers.  AASL continues to facilitate such training institutions to enable students from neighbouring countries to make use of facilities available in Sri Lanka thereby contributing to the local economy.

 STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF COLOMBO AIRPORT RATMALANA

Considering the strategic significance, capacities and capabilities, the Colombo Airport Ratmalana will be developed under five main areas during this period as mentioned below.

 

 

Conclusion

Colombo Airport Ratmalana is of great historical importance to Sri Lanka. Positioning it as the ‘’Exclusive Gateway to Colombo, Sri Lanka’’ coupled with the other four areas mentioned above requires exacting implementation of the key strategic recommendations identified in the Master Plan. The capital development budget set aside for the first three years of the Masterplan will be for product enhancement of the airport. The promotional efforts will be ramped up during this period and will reach full speed once all the mandatory requirements are developed and fulfilled.

The efforts of Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Transport & Civil Aviation had been invaluable in bringing this Masterplan to fruition. We are thankful to the Ministry, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Board of Directors at Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited for their continued support. I also wish to place on record our appreciation to the Sri Lanka Air Force for the support extended during this process. It is surely a fine example of Civil Military collaboration within this dynamic industry.

(The writer is the Executive Director  Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited)