Temporary BIA Jan-Apr closure set to drop passenger traffic by 12%

The re-construction of the Bandaranaike International Airport’s runway, at an estimated cost of Rs.7.2 billion, is likely to result in a drop in arrivals and departures by about 12.8 per cent with the cancellation of about 10 flights per day and rescheduling of others.

SriLankan Airlines has cancelled six flights per day and others about four per day during the period the BIA would be closed from January 6 – April 6 between 8.30 am and 4.00 pm, Transport and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said at a media briefing held at the BIA at Katunayake.

The minister noted that the cost of the construction of the 30-year old runway at the BIA will be borne by the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. (AASL).

The national carrier would stop over at Mattala for its four weekly flights to Beijing and Shanghai for approximately three hours during which time passengers would be allowed to go off board and be provided a meal before leaving for its final destination, the airline’s CEO Suren Ratwatte told the Business Times.

He noted that SriLankan Airlines would have to incur an addition loss in revenue of US$60 million as a result of this closure.

The BIA will witness a drop in arrivals and departures by about 12.8 per cent due to the airport closure, AASL Executive Director Johanne Jayaratne told the Business Times.

He noted that foreign airlines will stay at their point of origin when operating to Colombo on the rescheduled timings due to the closure for the 3-month period.

Due to the closure, there would be 14 flights taking off and landing at the BIA during the peak hour of 7.00 am – 8.00 am with the most number of flights operating after opening recorded between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm amounting to eight, he explained.

The arrival time of passengers would be determined by the respective airlines but it is expected that arrival at the airport was likely to be at least four hours ahead of departure.

The rush hour would also witness 65 check-in counters in operation compared to the existing 55; the 17 immigration counters would have its manpower increased with about four more added to the departures.

Minister De Silva noted that due to a lack of required immigration staff the government has asked authorities to even bring back retired employees to be engaged during the 3-month period. Customs department would also increase its staff at the BIA.

In addition to ease the congestion at the airport, the airline staff have been allocated a separate passageway to get to their flights early overcoming the congestion.

The government has requested the public to reduce the number of persons accompanying passengers to the airport in a bid to ease the congestion except for those in need of special assistance like the aged and the differently abled.

A concerted traffic plan would be in operation to ease traffic to the airport by teaming up with the Minuwangoda, Katunayaka and airport police in a bid to encourage the use of alternative routes.

The Minister noted that Mattala had not been favoured by any of the international airlines and this airport would continue to be used for emergency operations as at present.

Mattala costs the BIA an expenditure of Rs.3.6 billion in loan repayment and Rs.74 million for staff salary payments.

The government is looking at a 3-year, long-term plan to build on the infrastructure development surrounding the Mattala airport, the minister said.

“The government has no state funds to commit for the development of Mattala. We might have to go for a venture for Mattala similar to the Hambantota port,” the Minister said.

Under the Expression of Interest for Mattala about seven were evaluated and five shortlisted with selections scheduled to take place next month.

Mattala airport has received at least two proposals, not from Chinese parties, to take over entire operations of the facility while others were for the conduct of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and as a training facility among others.

(SD)

Security cameras have been placed at immigration counters by the airport authorities amidst opposition from staff.

Airport and Aviation Service Ltd. Executive Director Johanne Jayaratne said that the security cameras at the immigration counters fixed were now operational since about a couple of months ago.

Immigration officers had opposed fixing the security cameras where their counters were located.