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BIA shut down by 28-minute power failure
View(s):A 28-minute power failure at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) paralysed operations yesterday.
Airport and Aviation Services Ltd (AASL) Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga told the Sunday Times that an air bridge which connected to a Cochin bound SriLankan Airlines flight UL 165, with 168 passengers on board, could not be retracted until the power was restored.
Mr Ranatunga attributed the power disruption to a damaged 40-km long underground power cable ring located within the airport premises.
“Normally, when there is power failure at the airport, within seconds, generator-run emergency power systems get activated. However, as the damage was in the power cable ring, which is central to the BIA electrical system, the disruption occurred,” he said.
He said power was restored within 28 minutes, while repairs were carried out.
A statement issued by the AASL Executive Director Sanjeewa Wijeratne said power was restored after AASL staff located the faulty high tension power cable ring installed 30 years ago.
He said an upgrade of the power system would be carried out next year under a development project being implemented with aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Mr Wijeratne said they apologised to all passengers and airport users for the inconvenience caused.