BIA expansion project:

Phase two to commence

Irangika Range

The Government has planned to commence the construction of phase two of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project in 2012 to enhance the capacity of airport facilities to accommodate the increasing air traffic demand.

The total estimated cost for Phase Two is US $ 350 million.

The existing runway and taxiways will be widened to cater to the new A380 airbus, a Ports and Aviation Ministry Spokesman said.

The project will double the BIA’s passenger handling capacity to 12 million per annum while the cargo handling capacity will be increased to 500,000 metric tons from the current capacity of 250,000 metric tons.

It has been proposed to construct a new passenger terminal building which separates arrivals and departures of passengers. A new pier with eight boarding gates, 14 passenger boarding bridges with a dedicated gate comprising two passenger boarding bridges will also be constructed for the new A380 airbus operations.

There will also be an additional nine parking stands to ease air traffic movement.

“Construction of new power, water and sewage treatment systems will also be included in the expansion project,” he further said.