Sri Lanka Airports

Sri Lanka to Modernize Air Traffic Management with New Airfield Facility Complex at Ratmalana Airport

In a major step toward modernizing Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has announced that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of the contract for the construction of a new Airfield Facility Complex at Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (CIAR) to Sanken Constructions (Pvt.) Ltd.

Valued at Rs. 3,046.29 million (excluding VAT), the contract was awarded to the lowest responsive bidder based on recommendations from the Procurement Evaluation Committee and the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee.

This landmark project marks a transformative upgrade to the nation’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) infrastructure, enhancing safety, efficiency, and foreign exchange revenue while supporting Sri Lanka’s role in the Asia-Pacific Air Traffic Services Network.

Sri Lanka’s controlled airspace, covering an area nearly 27 times the size of the island, handles over 300 aircraft movements daily, generating over USD 11 million annually in overflying service charges. Currently, air traffic services are managed by the Colombo Area Control Centre (ACC) from an ageing colonial-era building at Ratmalana Airport.

The new multi-storey Air Navigation Complex will replace this outdated facility, introducing next-generation Air Traffic Management systems, advanced automation, and modern surveillance and communication technologies. It will also include a new control tower cabin offering an unobstructed 360-degree view of the aerodrome, significantly improving safety and operational efficiency at Ratmalana Airport.

Once completed, this project will position Sri Lanka as a competitive Air Navigation Service Provider in the region, contributing to economic growth, aviation safety and increased foreign exchange earnings.

Makeshift Check-in Counters Under a Marquee at BIA to Handle Arrival Rush - Sunday Times Reports
With the technical evaluation of the two bids for the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion still underway, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) is introducing a temporary solution to manage the expected seasonal influx of passengers.

According to Sunday Times, AASL will set up additional makeshift check-in counters under a marquee to accommodate the surge in visitor arrivals. The marquee, provided by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), will be located in the “garden area” of the departure lounge and will feature 14 additional counters.

AASL Chairman Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Harsha Abeywickrema stated that the facility will be operational from early November and remain in place for approximately four months. He emphasized that this is an interim measure until the commencement of a separate project, already tender-awarded to permanently expand the number of check-in counters at BIA from 60 to 74 within the existing terminal space.

With a sharp increase in tourist arrivals and several airlines requesting additional flight slots for the upcoming winter season, the temporary setup is considered a crucial measure to ensure smooth and efficient passenger handling at Sri Lanka’s main international gateway.

Chaos at BIA: Long queues, passengers nearly miss flights

Any update on Terminal 2 project?​

HI Guys,

Any alternative method to listen into Live VCBI ATC? LiveATC feed isnt up after 2024-Feb. Wonder what happened to it...

Its about time some renovations are being contemplated. The airport is in pretty poor shape - crowded and shabby with stained ceilings. Given that every passenger pays $60 to use the facility, the condition it is in is pretty shocking. We used to have the best airport by far in the region and now we can't hold a candle to airports such as BLR, BOM and DEL.

Government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana told reporters that cabinet had awarded a 30-year lease to a joint venture between India’s Shaurya Aeronautics and Russia’s Airports of Regions Management Company.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/amp/40300480

Airport and Aviation to carry on stalled BIA terminal 2 project

To invest over Rs. 3.2 Bn
April 9, 2024 1:20 am 0 comment

AASL Chairman Eng. Athula Galketiya exchanges the agreement with an official from Access Engineering
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited has come forward to carry on the stalled Bandaranaike International Airport terminal two project which was left partially completed by the Japanese investor due to various issues. This identified scope of work is carried out utilizing AASL funds amounting to around Rs 3.2 billion.

“Following the termination of the Terminal 2 Project on December 9, 2022, by the Japanese contractor the AASL has taken timely action and come forward with measures to complete substructure works of this project,” an official from the AASL said.

As the project was abandoned for nearly two years, the leadership of AASL management devised a plan to finalize the substructure works left partially completed by the Japanese contractor. This plan encompasses the completion of remaining works, including the installation of 68 remaining piles, construction of pile caps and ground beams at the main terminal building (MTB), pier 2, and pier 3, as well as the partial completion of the underground utility tunnel in pier no. 2 and pier no. 3.

In a bid to speed up work and obtain better technical aspects to it, these works were awarded to a local construction contractor, Access Engineering PLC. It is done under the direct supervision of the consultant for the project, JV – Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. – Nippon Koei Co. Ltd, and concurrence from JICA is obtained for carrying out the work.

Due to the recommencement of work the project will firstly address the issue of deterioration of steel reinforcements. “In addition it will also help to reduce the cost and time required for carrying out substructure works of the project when a new contractor is mobilized to carry out the remaining work of the project. With the completion of work it will also help to eliminate part of the cost of insurance.”

​https://www.dailynews.lk/2024/04/09/...nal-2-project/

I can see some work still going on

Has it been confirmed Adani Group is going to manage CMB, HRI and RML?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKE wj2gsaU1KSEAxX7zzgGHRl5CBgQFnoECBgQAQ&url=https%3A %2F%2Fwww.dailymirror.lk%2Fbreaking-news%2FAdani-Group-may-run-three-Sri-Lankan-airports%2F108-276758&usg=AOvVaw2_W39Es6V-UxWYSNz_TFfI&opi=89978449

An indian company may run 3 airports in Sri Lanka. What are the pros and con on this guys?

Does anyone know about BIA terminal 2 construction progress ? Last year project restart but no progress right ?

Any updates on India-Russia buying Mattala Airport on 30 years contract?