With the disbursement of funds, the Terminal 2 at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake, construction is to be commenced by September, The Daily Morning Business learnt.
Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) Chairman Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri yesterday (16), said: “We are expecting to begin (reconstruction of the Terminal II at BIA) from around September or October with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Discussions regarding this project are currently in progress.”
He added that once reconstruction resumes, within an approximate timeline of three years, Terminal II could be completed.
However, the airport authority has blocked certain areas which lead to the construction site. As a result of this, the entirety of the airport cannot be operated, thus creating congestion at check-in counters.
Acknowledging this, Major General (Rtd.) Chandrasiri stated: “It would take some time to ease this congestion at the BIA.”
Meanwhile, with the increased passenger movements thanks to soaring tourist arrivals and the gradual increase of flight arrivals, these have been contributing factors to the congestion at the BIA.
He further noted: “We witness around 10,000 passengers departing and around 8,000 passenger arrivals while exceeding 20,000 passenger movements per day.”
He added that the number of flights have been increased to 126 from 110. In 2018, Sri Lanka witnessed a peak, with 159 flight arrivals as well as departures.
Accordingly, the AASL is in the process of taking remedial measures such as opening another arrival route which is to take place today (17) and to expand the main highway at the same time to ease the congestion to a certain extent.
“With the opening of the new arrival route, we now have two routes (for arrivals). In future, there will be two routes for both arrival and departure in different directions towards the airport.”
AASL is also set to take more measures to counter the congestion issue at the BIA.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning in March this year, the AASL Chair said: “According to the agreement with JICA, the contractor must be Japanese. Therefore, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Japanese Government will have to come to an agreement on who they will select.”
Following Taisei Corporation terminating its contract, the new contractor would be appointed to complete the remainder of the said BIA project. The funds from JICA are to be released following the successful completion of the sovereign debt restructure.