Sri Lanka Airports

I was travelling Sunday 21st Jan and yesterday 28th Jan. I flown in UL 173 and UL 197. There is huge issues in the checking counters. Long ques with very slow movement. People lost their cool yesterday and lot of arguments with Sri Lankan staff. it was huge disappointment. I talked to one of staff in the boarding gate and he told me cannot manage with 50 check in counters. I think so many flight departing at same time and airport not able to handle to crowd.

Guys.. Watch the CMB video uploaded on youtube 6 hours ago.

When did they paint the buses at CMB in new colour scheme?

Now airport limited to 6 million commuters is expanding to 15 million commuters in a day

Thanks for sharing the video!

Good to know there are plans for second runway and terminal 3. But I really want SL Gov to complete the terminal 2 under the project phase 2 by 2020. Terminal also have to be modernised as showed in the picture of Phase 2. CMB is getting busier as some airline have expanded the operation over the years.

I have heard that AirAsia is going to have its own terminal at CMB. Is it true?

in this video from last year they talk about 2018 second runway and terminal 3 passenger at Bandaranaike International Airport

Bandaranaike Intl Airport phase 2 expansion

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), will commence work on its 2nd phase with a new lotus roof atop; the new terminal and increasing capacity up to 15 million passengers that are set to ground by November as the building of new terminal commences by October end. The stage 2 operations would ensure that capacity be increased by an additional mime million passengers as currently, the old terminal is handling up to 8.2 million (last year)for a building that is constructed for only 6 million passengers.

This project will be funded by the Japan International Corporation Agency(JICA) with a loan of Japanese Yen 74 billion, and staff would also get vacancies up to 40% extra with the current workforce of 3900.{Air Control tower staff 80 current + 30%}.

Executive Director of Airport and Aviation Services, Mr. Johanne Jayaratne said the mezzanine floor between these two levels would be the duty-free shopping area and the ground level would also create space for a rail service to be operated from MARDANA to BIA with an airport express service.

Good news to know Aircraft parking facility is going to be increased. What is the current process on construction work on Apron E ? Please tell us in detail. I saw a picture last month when they were digging the ground next to oil tanks. I am wondering if that's for Apron E? Any updates on Oil Hydrant System for CMB?

Construction work on Apron E has already begun

What do you mean "looks very old"? It is very OLD!!

Shame the CMB terminal looks very old..

Guys sorry to break all your hearts. Apron E is Phase 2 B as per the papers we should finish Phase 2 A (Terminal building) first then the Phase 2 B.

What AASL doing right now is to make room for the construction project. Phase 2 A given to Japanese Construction firm (still no proper timescale) Phase 2 B is still on papers no construction companies yet for the project. Hope thinks will be finalise this year. But the truth is No new terminal until 2020. If they start in 2020 they can finish and get ICAO approval by 2025. Unfortunately it's Sri Lanka and we're unlucky. Hope for some braver Aviation authorities in the future.

The article is dated November 2017 so I'm guessing it would be the new contract. It also states the hydrant system will be for Apron E. It would be better for CMB to build both at the same time.

Hopefully someone can confirm that Apron E is under construction, would be welcome news for everyone.

IIRC , The bid for New Fuel Hydrant System was last cancelled in Aug 17. I doubt the new bid have been confirmed yet. I think they are currently doing the construction for Apron E (Aircraft Parking). I can notice they are digging the ground near taxiway as well.

Does CMB really need the new fuel hydrant system now? Isn't that very important that the passenger terminal have to be expanded to meet the increasing passenger demand?

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