A pre-fabricated terminal to minimize passenger congestion at BIA

At present, passenger arrivals and departures have reached nearly 25000, causing severe congestion at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), authorities reveal. Construction of the second terminal to resolve the issue has been implemented while Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. has decided to install a prefabricated terminal as an immediate measure. Authorities say it can be completed within six months. The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited is expected to spend about 15 billion rupees for the said construction. The prefabricated terminal will be utilized for domestic flight operations after the completion of constructed of 2nd terminal at BIA.

The Hon. Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, made a special inspection visit at the site of the construction on August 23, 2023. The Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, Major General (Rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri and, and several other officials also participated in the occasion.

Expressing views at a function held at the airport on the day, the Minister had this to say:

A larger number of passengers are expected to call at the Katunayake, Bandaranike International Airport in the near future. We are ready to fully facilitate them with practical solutions utilizing our available resources. An increased number of flights have been planned at the Palali airport in Jaffna and Mattala airport in Hambantota. In order to cater facilitation to passengers arriving and departing Katunayake, Bandaranike International Airport, the installation of the pre-fabricated terminal is scheduled to be completed within six months with the investments of funds.’