Marginal upswing in traffic at BIA
View(s):Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the country’s main airport, handled 7.3 million passengers in 2013, a marginal increase from the previous year’s seven million, according to statistics by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The CAA, releasing figures for last year, said the total passenger movements increased to 7, 311, 869 last year compared to 7, 079,920 in 2012, which is exceed the current capacity of six million at the BIA.
Aircraft movements at the BIA also increased to 53, 791 last year compared to 51, 308 in 2012, statistics indicated.
A significant increase in cargo was noted at 191,224,402 kg for 2013 compared to 187,388,070 kg in the previous year. Mail generated a marginal increase upto 1,815,608 kg in last year compared to 1,813,775 kg in 2012.
In view of increasing use of the airport, the authorities would be commencing work on Stage II Phase II of the Japanese funded Yen 28 billion expansion project at the BIA by the end of this year that would lift capacity to nine million. The project wouldbe completed by the end of 2016.
This would provide for a larger area space for the terminal with eight gates; a bigger apron and taxiways connecting them including a car park with a multi-storey (03) shopping area plus highway connected to the new terminal’s departure and arrival areas.
The new design to be submitted by July would provide for a green terminal utilizing the sun with more eco friendly concepts incorporated. (SD)