Business Times

BIA to handle 15 million passengers by 2015

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is gearing, through expansion and new development, to handle 15 million passengers and 350,000 metric tons of cargo by 2015 compared to six million passengers and 250,000 metric tons of cargo last year, according to Prasanna Wickramasuriya, Chairman - Airports and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASK).

Speaking at the American Chamber of in Sri Lanka (AmCham) seminar on “The Future of The Aviation Industry in Sri Lanka” in Colombo last week, he said the BIA is capable of handling 25 air side movements (landing and take-off), during the busy hour. At present, it is operating close to these capacity figures and last year the passenger movement figure has even been exceeded.

Mr Wickramasuriya’s presentation covered the present status of the Sri Lankan aviation industry and the plans for its future. He said the Mahinda Chinthana Vision for the future envisages that Sri Lanka becomes an Aviation Hub among other things.

Mr Wickramasuriya stated that in becoming an aviation hub there are many factors that are poised in Sri Lanka’s favour and there are several things that must be put in place as well. In order to cater to the growing demand for capacity at BIA, the AASL plans to undertake the 2nd stage of phase 2 of the BIA development project that has been carried out in a phased manner over a long time period.

On conclusion of this phase of the project, the passenger handling capacity will rise by an additional seven million movements per year. This will include an additional pier on the western side parallel to the existing pier, 2-level terminal for departure and arrival as found in most major airports, new domestic terminal and a brand new duty free shopping arcade.

Speaking about the domestic aviation sector, Mr Wickramasuriya expressed the view that although Sri Lanka is a small island, an effective domestic aviation network linking major locations and the international airports in the island would serve the natioal interests very well.

The main advantage for airlines would be the ability to offer ultimate destinations like Sigiriya or Ampara from the passengers’ point of origin. The part of AASL Chairman’s presentation that dealt with the new international airport being constructed at Mattala, Hambantota attracted wide interest from the audience. Mr Wickramasuriya stated that the new airport from its initial construction through its subsequent operations will be very environment friendly. It is being developed as a model airport city.

Mr Wickramasuriya also spoke of the opportunities for the freight forwarding industry for air-sea transshipment in conjunction with Hambantota Port and for the tourism industry to promote Fly-Cruise packages where the tourists arrive by sea and return by air. This is gaining popularity worldwide as an attractive holiday option for tourists who cannot afford the time for a two-way voyage, he added.
The event was attended by around 120 participants including industry specialists and other eminent personalities. It was sponsored by Infotechs (Pvt) Ltd.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Business Times Articles
Two major conglomerates in the fray to buy Golden Key Hospital
CB seeks clarity from IMF on interest rates
SL's Expropriation Bill: A thorn in US funding
Textured Jersey plans new unit here or abroad
New operator sought for India-SL ferry service
Comment - Helping local creators cum entrepreneurs
On stock misfortunes and expert explanations
World faces a 600 mln-jobs challenge, warns ILO
Addressing the brain drain: To return or not?
Sri Lanka’s top driving school ventures into Social Network Marketing
Microimage to showcase best in HR technology and services
Australia’s IIBT to use Sri Lanka as base for South Asia
Sri Lankan-led Beijing firm to light up rural homes
Should top, retired Central Bankers join private institutions under their supervision?
Global volatility may affect SL bank assets : Fitch
Judicial independence and judicial bias
Inflation fell last month
Banking sector buoyant for 2012
2% SL GDP growth lost due to corruption : Top economist
Business Community to pass the pillow on AIDS awareness
Basic guide to shipping and exporting (products)
Sri Lanka objects to ‘Carbon footprint’ and “Water print” proposal as requirements for future tea exports
Expolanka Holdings reports post-tax profit of Rs. 903 mln in latest review
BIA to handle 15 million passengers by 2015
Weaving a tale of life, commitment and entrepreneurship
Sri Lanka's first LPO conference opens on Thursday
Aviation policy to boost air cargo, transshipment
CB, SEC considering T-Bills and bonds index
Proposal for Govt. research scientists to resort to ‘private consultancies/practice’ like state doctors
Master plan for Colombo transport includes pedestrian path planning
LOLC’s strong commitment to renewable energy recognized
New food regulations permit added substances to bread
Government to assist Sri Lankan inventors to explore foreign markets
Sampur coal power project to proceed under Indian pressure
Government pledges that it will never privatize Sevanagala Sugar Co. again
Colombo bourse under a cloud
Next attraction for Chinese tourists in Sri Lanka: Zheng He
Central Bank unveils second memorial for bomb victims

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2012 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution