Talks that started last year with US based Lockheed Martin for Air Traffic management, could bear fruit with an MOU to be signed shortly with the Board of Investment.
In 2002, the BOI got an unsolicited proposal from a consortium including Lockheed Martin & Airways to take over the upper airspace management.rn
rnThe proposal also included plans to modernise navigation facilities at the Katunayake Airport, Board of Investment officials said.rn
rnA committee including officials from Airport Aviation Services Ltd. (AASL), the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the BOI was set up to study the proposal.rn
rnA valuation of assets is expected to begin shortly, officials say, but whether this would form the base for a lease of navigation assets and equipment or a sale of the assets is being considered.rn
rnInitial estimates, however indicate, that around US$ 25 mn investment is required over a six to seven year period to modernise navigation facilities, officials said.rn
rnLockheed Martin is an internat