Sri Lanka’s international airport is incurring an investment of approximately Rs.45 billion that includes a yen loan from Japan to expand its new terminal set to double the current capacity and build eco-friendly and energy saving specifications, officials said. The yen loan is part of an Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Corporation [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

New BIA terminal infused with Rs.45 bln investment

By Sunimalee Dias
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Sri Lanka’s international airport is incurring an investment of approximately Rs.45 billion that includes a yen loan from Japan to expand its new terminal set to double the current capacity and build eco-friendly and energy saving specifications, officials said. The yen loan is part of an Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) for Yen 29 billion while a local component of Rs.10 billion would be borne by the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd (AASL) for the construction of the project, its Executive Director Johanne Jayaratne told the Business Times. The airport currently has three terminals. The new terminal has been designed by a Chinese but would be constructed by a Japanese company as per JICA requirements under its funding programme. Funding for the project was not initiated through the Treasury but has been agreed upon directly between the funding agency and AASL, he explained. Work on the project is expected to commence in the first quarter of next year by around February, he said adding that there would be complete separation of departures and arrivals at the new terminal. The BIA’s expansion plans would be in line with the eco friendly requirements and the new terminal would have a capacity of 6 million passengers.

The new terminal is expected to be completed by 2015 and would ensure increased frequencies by a majority of existing airlines and possibilities of more new airlines entering Colombo skies. Currently, the AASL is in negotiation with two other airlines namely the Royal Dutch carrier KLM and German national carrier Lufthansa that had suspended operations nearly 10-15 year back, Mr. Jayaratne said. March next year would see British Airways making a comeback into Colombo with its flights calling at the BIA. AASL Chairman Prasanna Wickramasuriya said they had already called for tenders and the cabinet appointed tender board would select a suitable organization to commence the project.




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