Financial Times

BIA to handle 10 mln passengers in 2020

By Quintus Perera

The number of passengers passing through Sri Lanka's only international airport is set to rise sharply to 10.15 million in 2020 from 3.23 million in 2002, cargo handling would rise to 1.7 million tons in 2020 from 125,665 tons in 2002 while aircraft movement is seen rising to one million from 27,274 in the same comparative years, according to government forecasts.

The above statistics were revealed by Engineer O. J. S. Perera, Project Director, Bandaranaike International Airport Development Project, discussing development of BIA at a seminar last week linked to the 2004 Annual Sessions and the 21st National conference on Architecture of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.

Perera said that air traffic levels have doubled every 10-years and capacity was needed to meet future traffic. The Airport Development Project (ADP) should be a continuous programme. In addition to the aviation demand and infrastructure needs the ADP should consider economic and social objectives.

Environmental factors have to be considered such as aircraft noise, air and water quality, control of aircraft exhaust emissions and control of fuel spills and the waste disposal.

The BIA now has a 3,350 metre runway that could accommodate 25 aircraft movements. The parking apron accommodates 17 stands and the passenger terminal building is 40,000 sq metres. There are six gate lounges, four arrival baggage belts, cargo capacity for 150,000 tons and terminal car park with 350 slots and a remote car park with 320 slots.

The airport development project objectives are to enhance capacity to meet forecast demand, improve safety, improve efficiency and improve conveniences and comfort of users. After completion of the project passenger movement would increase by 50 percent, cargo movement by 67 percent and aircraft parking apron would increase to 47 percent.

Perera said that a multi-story car park, a transit hotel and a airport hotel are also planned to be constructed. The car park initially would be two floors but would increase to seven floors. A transit hotel with 40 rooms and all other facilities would be constructed. The Airport Hotel would be constructed on either side of the Canada Friendship Road with 100 rooms and with all other facilities. He said that when the aircraft movement exceeds 75,000 a second runway would be necessary.

Mitsui Obuchi, Japan Airport Consultant spoke on the architect's contribution in the ADP which is funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
He said the architect played an important role in the master planning, design and construction of an airport development project such as BIA in satisfying the needs of airport authorities and the needs of all air passengers and other visitors to the airport.

With the current passenger traffic the building has reached its capacity and check in counters, baggage claim area and gate lounges are very congested during the peak hours. The Passenger Terminal Building is not equipped with passenger boarding bridges and the passengers currently require to be transported between the PTB and the aircraft which is inconvenient and increases the risk of traffic accidents on the apron.

Stage 1 of the Phase II Development which includes renovation of the existing building and construction of the New Pier No.1 with 10 boarding bridges has been on going and would be completed by 2005 which would meet the demand for the next five years.

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