BIA Enhances the Passenger Facilitation Amidst COVID -19 Disruptions

May 15, 2020

The ongoing global pandemic has affected the timelines of the completion of construction projects and maintenance work at the airports. At a time when there is a reduction in the number of flight movements and passengers, it has given the opportunity to improve maintenance activities as well as project efficiencies in the terminal, airside, and other premises. 

The newly constructed Expansion of Departure Public Concourse and the construction of dedicated access road were declared open on 14th May by Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Chairman, Mr. Rajeewasiri Sooriyaarachchi, Vice Chairman and the Board of Directors of Airport Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL). The new facilities were developed as immediate solutions to ease off the passenger congestion and to uplift the service delivery at the airport. 

Dedicated Access Road to Passenger Terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport 

To ease off traffic congestion in and around the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), a dedicated Access Road has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 186 million.  The contractor for this project was the Road Development Authority of Sri Lanka (RDA). The new road has been designed to segregate Minuwangoda and BOI road traffic from the traffic of Bandaranaike International Airport. It consists of two stages, and ‘Stage I’ has been completed. The ‘Stage I’ consists of 660m length four-lane dual road including developments at Awariyawatte Junction. This will facilitate the airport users immensely to have easy access to the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Expansion to Departure Public Concourse at BIA Katunayake

To offer a scenic atmosphere and provide a more enjoyable time with the loved ones for the departing passengers before they take the flight. This expansion of the public concourse was completely funded by the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited at a cost Rs. 238 Million. This new construction will give ample space to the departure passengers and their visitors to wait until their departures while enjoying varieties of food choices available. The project consisted of the construction of a new three-storied building expanding the existing departure public concourse towards the garden area with all amenities and giving a garden view with outer glass panels around the Public Concourse.