Sri Lanka is once again looking for investors for the underutilised Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, often referred to as the “world’s emptiest airport.” Built near a wildlife sanctuary on the island’s southern coast, the airport has struggled with a lack of regular flights and passenger traffic.
The airport was developed as part of an ambitious infrastructure push during the tenure of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Funded largely through Chinese loans, it was expected to boost tourism and regional development. However, the project failed to attract sustained airline operations.
Since its opening in 2013, the airport has faced continuous financial losses, reportedly struggling even to cover basic operational costs like electricity. Its remote location and limited connectivity have been major reasons behind its poor performance and low passenger turnout.
The Sri Lankan government had earlier explored leasing the airport to an Indo-Russian joint venture, but the plan did not materialise. Now, authorities are again inviting fresh investment proposals in an attempt to revive the facility and reduce its financial burden.
The project has also drawn attention in the context of Sri Lanka’s economic challenges. Heavy borrowing for large-scale infrastructure, including this airport, has been cited as one of the contributing factors to the country’s 2022 financial crisis.
Going forward, officials hope to reposition the airport as a viable aviation hub or tourism gateway. However, its revival will depend on attracting consistent airline operations, improving connectivity, and ensuring better alignment with actual travel demand.