BIA phase II development to kick off this month with Japanese funding

The second phase development of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake will kick off from 18 November with a funding of Rs.107 billion from Japan, making it the largest development project since 2014.

State Minister of Aviation and Exports Zones Development D.V. Chanaka in a statement to the media said by taking into account the latest developments in the field of aviation, BIA would be modified to suit the rapidly transforming world.

“Expansion of the airport capacity is the chief objective of the construction of this new terminal. It is expected that the passenger handling capacity of BIA be increased from existing 6 million to 15 million passengers a year,” said Chanaka.

Scheduled to reach completion in three years, the new multi-level terminal would expand over an area of 180, 000 square meters. It will entail separate departure and arrival terminals— an effort is taken to make the airport more passenger-friendly.

In addition to the building of the second terminal, the airport will have its parking capacity expanded with the construction of a five-storied parking area.

All the entry roads to BIA will be developed under the project while the infrastructure facilities will be uplifted as well.