Prefabricated terminal to minimise passenger congestion at BIA

Monday, 28 August 2023 03:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. (AASL), has decided to install a prefabricated terminal as an immediate measure to minimise passenger congestion at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) until the on-going phase of expansion is completed.

At present, passenger arrivals and departures have reached nearly 25,000, causing severe congestion at the BIA.

The prefabricated terminal is estimated to cost Rs. 15 billion and completed in six months. The prefabricated terminal will be utilised for domestic flight operations after the completion of construction of a second terminal at BIA.

Construction of the second terminal to resolve the issue has been implemented while Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva made a special inspection visit at the site of the construction last week. AASL Chairman Major General (Rtd.) G.A. Chandrasiri and several other officials also participated in the occasion.

The Minister said: “A larger number of passengers are expected to call at the BIA in the near future. We are ready to fully facilitate them with practical solutions utilising our available resources. An increased number of flights have been planned at the Palali airport in Jaffna and Mattala airport in Hambantota. In order to cater facilitation to passengers arriving and departing Katunayake, Bandaranaike International Airport, the installation of the pre-fabricated terminal is scheduled to be completed within six months with the investments of funds through AASL.”