BIA to handle 15 mn. passengers p.a by 2016

Mattala to be developed as second int’l airport

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), which is the country’s main international airport, would be developed so as to be able to accommodate 15 million passengers per annum by 2016 at a cost of Rs. 2.4 billion and Air Traffic Controllers would have a major role to play in this process, Transport and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Addressing a gathering to mark International Air Traffic Controllers’ Day in Colombo, Minister de Silva said the government, in its endeavour to make Sri Lanka an aviation hub, will develop Mattala as the second international airport and make Ratmalana the main domestic airport.

Minister de Silva said international flights presently fly to Trivandrum or Trichy in South India for refuelling if the BIA is busy. In future, we would make it possible for them to land at Mattala to refuel which would be more cost effective for them and an economically beneficial venture for us

Our air traffic controllers are doing a commendable job in nation building despite the fact that they are drawing a much lesser salary than their foreign counterparts. I was given a tough time by doctors when I was serving as the health minister. Bu I do not believe you would behave in the same manner because you are more professional and more dedicated to the service of the country,” Minister de Silva stressed.

International flights presently fly to Trivandrum or Trichy in South India for refuelling if the BIA is busy. In future, we would make it possible for them to land at Mattala to refuel

The global airline industry, which was dying a natural death a couple of years ago, has been resurrected by the steadily plummeting fuel prices and as a result a window of opportunity has opened for us to make our national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines, a profit making venture. The national carrier cannot remain a liability to the government for ever, he added.

He said the shortage of air traffic controllers has been a major setback to the government’s efforts to develop Lanka’s airline industry but Sri Lanka’s air traffic controllers have managed to do their jobs in a highly efficient and professional manner, adding, all demands put forward by them would be met soon.

Minister de Silva pleaded with air traffic controllers not to leave the country for greener pastures as it would further exacerbate the situation.