Risk Analysis Matrix for Obstacles at Ratmalana Airport 

One month has elapsed since 179 passengers and crew perished in the Jeju Air crash in Muan, South Korea.

 One of the principal risk factors that caused the Jeju Air disaster also exists at the Colombo International Airport Ratmalana (CIAR). If a landing or taking off aircraft collides with the concrete wall at the Galle Road end of the runway, the result could be similarly catastrophic.

 ‘Catastrophic’ by definition involves ‘multiple deaths and equipment destroyed.’

 So, what are the chances of a similar disaster occurring at Ratmalana? One would say ‘remote’, which by definition is ‘slight’.

 But it has already happened in South Korea, and many other places over the years, resulting in death and destruction.

With reference to the Risk Matrix above, even if the chances are very small, if the outcome is potentially catastrophic, it goes into the unacceptable area (red).

 The bottom line is that action must be taken to reduce the risk by dismantling the wall. That is the objective of safety management, and is a ‘no brainer’.

 Yet, despite representations made to the authorities, the owner of CIAR, the Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka (CAASL) continues to sit on its hands.

 That is a sad state of affairs.

Guwan Seeya