The Sri Lankan Government has launched a major expansion plan for Terminal 1 at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), aiming to increase its annual design capacity from six million to 10 million passengers.
Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that the project, estimated to cost around Rs. 15 billion, is intended to ease congestion at the airport while awaiting the completion of the delayed Terminal 2 project.
The expansion will include enlarging the departure area, adding more check-in counters, redesigning and expanding the arrival lobby, upgrading the baggage handling system, and increasing the duty-free shopping area. The projects will be funded entirely through local sources.
According to the Deputy Minister, BIA is already handling nearly 10 million passengers annually despite being designed for only six million passengers, highlighting the urgent need for the upgrade. Design work has been completed, approvals have been secured, and one project has already been awarded, while the remaining projects are currently in the awarding stage.
Source: The Morning
