<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-center">History Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport</h2>
<p class="blog-para">A third international airport for Sri Lanka outside Colombo was considered for various reasons. Congestion was increasing at Bandaranaike International Airport, and an alternate airport was desired. In addition, the Rajapaksa government wanted to revitalise the tourism industry following the Sri Lankan Civil War. An airport in Hambantota District would be located close to several tourist attractions, including Arugam Bay, Nuwara Eliya and Yala National Park. Hambantota was also the home town of the president at time, Mahinda Rajapaksa.</p>
<p class="blog-para">It was initially planned to expand Weerawila Airport into an international airport, but the plans were scrapped due to environmental concerns. The site was then moved to Mattala, a small town 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of Hambantota.</p>
<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-left">TRANSPORT Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport</h2>
<ul>
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Taxi:</strong> Vehicles from Cooperativa de T&aacute;xi (Tel +55 65 9617 8111) available 24 hours a day outside the Arrivals Hall. Travel time to Cuiab&aacute; is approximately 20 minutes.</li>
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Car Rental Agencies: </strong>There are car rental desks in the Arrivals Hall and at the exit from the airport.</li>
</ul>
<p class="blog-para">The passenger terminal covers 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft) and can handle 1 million passengers per year. It has 12 check-in counters and 2 gates equipped with jetways. In addition, the terminal has a restaurant, medical centre, and a lounge for business class passengers.</p>
<ul>
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Runway:</strong> MRIA has a single runway, 05/23. It measures 3,500 m (11,483 ft), making it capable of receiving the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.</li>
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Other facilities: </strong>The air traffic control tower stands at a height of 35 m (115 ft). The airport cargo facility occupies 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) and can handle up to 50,000 tonnes of freight per year.</li>
</ul>
<p class="blog-para">In 2014, a fuel hydrant system and an aircraft refueling terminal were completed. The fuel hydrant system was built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) at a cost of USD$7 million, while the refueling terminal was constructed by Amana Pipeline Construction LLC, a Dubai-based construction company at a cost of USD$31 million. Previously, fuel had to be transported by bowser from tanks at Hambantota Port, sometimes resulting in flight delays.</p>
<p><img class="img-fluid p-lg-0 rounded w-100" title="Mattala Rajapaksa   Airport" src="../../main/img/airport/mrr/1.webp" alt="Mattala Rajapaksa   Airport" width="950px" height="500px"></p>