By: Staff Writer
December 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has launched initiatives to expand two key airports, aiming to enhance tourism and international connectivity.
Jaffna International Airport Expansion
The Airport and Aviation Services of Sri Lanka Ltd. (AASL) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the expansion of Jaffna International Airport (JIA) in Palali, targeting a January 29, 2025, deadline for submissions.
The plan is to upgrade the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A330, which has a passenger capacity of 280-330, compared to the current ATR aircraft that carries about 70 passengers.
Renamed as Jaffna International Airport in 2019 and declared Sri Lanka’s third international airport, JIA began operations with flights from Chennai.
The initial redevelopment was jointly funded by Sri Lanka and India. However, the airport currently handles only two to three flights per week. Sri Lanka hopes to attract more tourists from India and promote Jaffna as a growing tourist destination.
To ensure neutrality, proposals are restricted to consultancy firms or joint ventures from countries outside the Colombo Flight Information Region (FIR)—excluding India, the Maldives, Indonesia, and Australia—citing potential conflicts of interest.
Eligible bidders must have completed at least one feasibility study for an international airport in the last decade.
Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Development
In parallel, AASL has extended the deadline to March 18, 2025, for Japanese firms to bid on Phase II Stage 2-Package A1 of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Development Project.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), this project involves constructing a main terminal building, two new piers, and related works, including an elevated roadway.
The project initially began in December 2020 under Japan’s Taisei Corporation, with a scheduled completion by December 2023. However, due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and JICA freezing funding, the project was terminated in December 2022, with only six percent progress achieved.
Now back on track following Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, the re-advertised tender seeks to complete the remaining work using materials and equipment already procured by Taisei.
The BIA expansion is anticipated to take 30 months once the contract is awarded. While Sri Lanka is utilizing an existing JICA loan to fund the construction, it has requested additional financing, which is currently under review by the Japanese government and JICA.
These strategic developments aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure, stimulate tourism, and support economic recovery.
