The Weerawila International Airport (IATA: WRZ, ICAO: VCCW) was a proposed airport in Weerawila, in the Hambantota District in the south of Sri Lanka. It was intended to serve the southern and eastern parts of the island. Initially to be completed by 2009, it was scheduled to be the second international airport in Sri Lanka. However, the project faced significant environmental concerns, and was eventually scrapped. The site of the proposed airport was moved to Mattala, Hambantota, and a new airport is currently under construction there.

Original project

In the first phase, the Weerawila international airport was due to accommodate eight aircraft. The foundation stone for the airport was laid on November 19, 2006 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was to be the first airport in Sri Lanka to be capable of landing the latest Airbus A380 aircraft, and was to act as the hub for the country's low cost carrier, Mihin Lanka.

Rs. 12.5 billion ($125 million) was to be invested for the first phase of the project, which was to comprise a 4000-meter runway and provide space for 14 aircraft at a time. In addition a customs building, large hangar, AASL office and other modern facilities were to be provided. The construction was to be carried out under the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The proposed Weerawila International Airport site is currently a Sri Lanka Air Force base, known as SLAF Wirawila.

Proposed airlines

• Mihin Lanka

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2010.
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