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| Sunday, 9 May 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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More air traffic after new project at BIA by CHANUKA MANNAPPERUMA Aviation Authorities forecast that the passenger movements at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake would increase from the current 3.4 million per annum to five million after the completion of the airport's extension project. The extension project is scheduled to be completed by September next year, a Ports and Aviation Ministry official said. The official said the project would cost US $ 100 million. It would include a complete passenger terminal, runway, complete duty free shopping complex, 1,960-metre parallel taxiway and an apron." At present, the airport has a 40,000 square metre passenger terminal building and, with the completion of the extension project, it will be able to cater to an increased number of passengers with modern facilities," the official added. He said that the new air terminal would be able to accommodate new aircraft and provide passengers with modern facilities. The official added, "The airport currently has a 3,350 metre long runway on which airplanes like the A-380 cannot be landed. After construction is completed, airplanes like the A-380 would be able to land." According to Aviation authorities, cargo movements which are now at 150,000 metric tonnes per annum would increase to 250,000 metric tonnes. Minister of Ports and Aviation Services Mangala Samaraweera, who made a surprise visit to the BIA recently, instructed officials to accelerate the construction work on the extension project which had been delayed by one year. |
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