The much awaited and long overdue Bandaranaike International Airport phase two development project will finally commence in three months and will be completed in three years Airport said Aviation Services Ltd, (AASL) Chairman G.A. Chandrasiri said.
The project will be built by Taisei Corporation of Japan and will consist of the construction of new multilevel terminal building, Pier no 2 and Pier no 3 with a link concourse, new parking apron and taxiways, elevated access roads, multistory car park and public utilities.
Taisei has been involved in the building of all major airports in Japan and many other countries and have also built the Olympic stadium in Japan.
Chandrasiri said that the project was initially to commence in 2014 but was stalled by the previous government resulting in huge loss to the country and also having to pay damages to the constriction company. “However after the change of government the decision was taken to go ahead with the project which is a dire need of the country and fresh approach was made and the deal is now been signed.”
There are few other matters and they too will be completed in less than two months and the project will start in June and competed in 2023 August increasing the present passenger handling capacity from 6.5 million to 15 million per annum.
The total cost of the project, comprising Construction Cost of Package A and Package B, Contingencies (10%) and Consultancy Services, is US $ 550 million and the funding is done by from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He said there would be fortnightly progressive meeting to ensure the smooth building of this project.
He said the completion of the project in 2023 would mainly provide the Tourism industry the much needed capacity to fly in more tourists and ensure a smooth flow of passenger movements sans any delays. “Passengers from 2023 would walk in to a new airport which is world class.”
Asked to comment on the development of other airports he said four more airports, Palali, Ratmalana, Mattala and Batticaloa are now classified as international airports. “We are expecting Maldivian Airlines to commence direct flights to Ratmalana from next month while Fitz air would also be launching daily Ratmalana Jaffna flights soon.”
He praised the AASL staff for doing a creditable job by transforming Palali airport to an international airport in record two months time. “We will invest more to add infrastructure to Palali.”
Alliance Air from India is already operating direct Chennai Jaffna flights. He said that an international aviation training school would start operations in Mattala and due to various concessions offered to airlines now airlines are expected to fly to Mattala soon.
“As for Batticaloa we are currently having plans to operate it as a domestic airport.”
Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama said that Japan had been involved in the first phase development of BIA and this project too would close to their heart.
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