Sri Lanka on the path to finalizing a 9mn passenger airport terminal in 2023

 

Sri Lanka is on the road to finishing a new passenger terminal that will expand capacity at the 2023 main international airport and have a President's office with usual operations dampened by Coronavirus high-tech 'smart terminal' facilities. "President Rajapaksa ordered the authorities to complete the airport's construction work as early as possible by taking advantage of the occasion provided by the interruption of airport operations by working day and night," his office said.

Japan, along with Japan Airport Consultants Inc. (JAC) and Nippon Koei Co., is the main contractor for the project. Ltd. (NK) as advisors. The government will construct a new multi-level terminal building, two new piers, and a connexion path.

Arrivals and departures are divided vertically in the multi-level terminal building (Terminal 2) with a floor area of 180,000 m2. The project also involves modern parking apron taxiways, elevated access roads, multi-story parking facilities, and public utilities. The airport will consist of a new multi-level terminal structure, two new piers, and a connecting course will construct under the scheme.

The unique tier consists of making a new multi-level terminal building (Terminal 2) with an estimated floor area of 180,000 m2. Hence vertically separating arrivals and departures, Pier 2 and Pier 3 with a connecting concourse, new parking aprons and taxiways, elevated access roads, multi-story parking, and public services. Once finalized, the new terminal will be able to handle a further 9 million passengers per year and will allow BIA to manage an aggregate of 15 million passengers per year.

Speaking at the meeting, the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, S Hettiarachchi, stressed the importance of completing this project in 3 years to grow the aviation industry in Sri Lanka. Besides, he described the main aspects of the building project and the government's strategy.

Sri Lanka's airport and aviation industry are currently undergoing a facelift with the government of Sri Lanka, giving prominence to the development and upliftment of the country's airports, including the main international airport in the island. Sri Lanka's national carrier is also undergoing a restructuring program. The airline is also on the lookout for a foreign investor to form a joint venture operation. Sri Lanka's ecological positioning in the Indian Ocean region, the ease of doing business environment, and the strong trade ties with foreign nations have made Sri Lanka the ideal business destination in the South Asian region. All this indicates the growing business/investment potential in Sri Lanka's airport and aviation industry.

OSL Take: The government of Sri Lanka focused on making the country a maritime hub in the Indian Ocean region. The latest accomplishments of the Colombo and Hambantota Ports indicates that the government is closing in on achieving the target. The port already has an industrial zone on the premises, which provides an ideal business space for companies engaged in exports and logistics.

All these advancements would help Sri Lanka engage in trade activities with other countries. On the other hand, Sri Lanka could entice more cruise liners to the state by developing other harbors worldwide and developing the required infrastructure facilities. Foreign businesses/investors should explore the increasing investment opportunities in Sri Lanka's ports and shipping sector.

VBS/AT/0511/2020/Z_TB2