CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TERMINAL TO COMMENCE SHORTLY AT BIA

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will not be closed again for renovations after it is fully reopened for business on April 6, Head of Airport Management H.S Hettiarachchi said yesterday.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Hettiarachchi said the project was not complete as yet, despite renovation of the main runway being completed.

“The BIA’S main runway was closed from January 6 for its renovations and it would be opened by next month. But there are several other projects that need to be completed at the BIA. But the airport’s main runway would not be closed During this period we have operated International Corporate Jets, specialized for trade purposes which have been transferred from the BIA. We hope that there would be no change in the profits we have received during this period under any circumstances again in future,” he said.

He said the renovations of the runway and the second phase of the project were completely unrelated and added that new parking space for airplanes and taxiways were to be constructed under the second phase at the BIA. Hettiarchchi also said the construction of a new terminal at the BIA would commence, mid-year. Meanwhile, Ratmalana Airport Manager Aruna Rajapakse told the Daily Mirror that the operators who had dealt with the Ratmalana Airport during the BIA’S renovation period, would continue to operate with them in future, even after the main airport reopens next month. “During this period we have operated International Corporate Jets, specialized for trade purposes which have been transferred from the BIA. We hope that there would be no change in the profits we have received during this period,” he said.