Sri Lanka Airports

https://adaderana.lk/news/cmqby9j5g0008356qf39huzvi
Excellent news guys, BIA T2 will be resuming construction soon in November, and Gov is actively working on renovating T1 and is preparing a masterplan for it.

Does Katunayake really not need a second runway until 2055?

Mr. Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, recently announced that Katunayake Airport will not require a second runway until 2055, citing recommendations from an international master plan.

​For comparison, London Gatwick—one of the world’s busiest airports—handles more than 250,000 flight movements per year using primarily a single runway. However, due to current limitations and technical deficiencies at BIA (such as a lack of high-speed exit taxiways), it takes longer for aircraft to land and vacate the runway.

​Industry experts suggest that modernizing the existing infrastructure is a more practical solution than constructing a new runway.

​However, if Katunayake Airport is to truly become a developed, world-class international hub, what other improvements—beyond a runway upgrade—should be prioritized?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Could they be upgrading the runway to 4,000m to support the increase in cargo aircraft? If I am not mistaken, extending the runway is only possible on the land side, correct?

Increasing the Runway Length is quite hard from the Landside/Kimbulapitiya Road.

Hey guys, Gov recently announced that they will be investing around RS. 15 billion (Around 45M USD) to renovate Terminal 1. Some pics are attached in the article below. Not sure about the timeframe, but expected to begin alongside T2's construction resumption.

hey lads here are some of the new pictures. Do you think it is possible to do the renovation while the airport is operating?

When is the new upgrades to the terminal 1 starting?

T2's completion in May 2029 is a long way off. Renovating T1 to modern standards is a sensible decision, as both the interior and exterior need to be updated.

Hi All,

Good morning from CMB and Greetings!

Bandaranaike International Airport VCBI/CMB is going to have an upgrade+Replacement for the Instrument Landing System (ILS). A new System will be installed within next few months.
And, A new ILS will be installed at Ratmalana International Airport VCCC/RML to continue 24*7 All weather Operations within next few months.

Jaffna International Airport: Latest Development Updates and What Passengers Want for the Future


Update: August 2026

I recently visited Jaffna International Airport and had the opportunity to observe the ongoing development work and speak with airport staff and passengers. Based on my observations, discussions and the information available to me, I would like to share some updates regarding the airport's current development and its future potential.

Please note that the information regarding the Phase 1 terminal development is based on my August 2026 visit and observations. Some of the information regarding future projects, including the runway upgrade, is based on information communicated to me and should not be considered an official announcement unless confirmed by the relevant authorities.


Phase 1 Terminal Development Nearing Completion

During my visit in August 2026, the Phase 1 arrival terminal development appeared to be nearing completion. The construction work had progressed significantly, and the project seemed to be approaching its final stages. However, the next phase of terminal development could potentially take some time to begin. One possible reason is that construction activities could interfere with passenger movement and normal airport operations, particularly during the busy summer travel period. Based on the information available to me, Phase 2 may therefore begin after the summer season, in order to minimize disruption to passengers and airport operations.


Concerns Regarding Land Documentation

Another issue that deserves attention is the land required for the future development of the airport. I have spoken with people familiar with the situation, and according to the information I received, there are public lands that could potentially be made available for further airport development. However, there appear to be concerns regarding the documentation provided by the relevant authorities. Some important information, including details relating to the valuation of the land and other relevant particulars, reportedly remains unclear or incomplete. If this is not addressed properly, such documentation issues could potentially create delays or become an obstacle to future airport expansion. If anyone within the relevant Ministry or government authorities is following this discussion, I hope this matter can be reviewed carefully. Proper documentation is essential if Jaffna International Airport is to expand successfully in the future.



Runway Upgrade Expected Around Mid-2027

At the time of my August 2026 visit, there was no visible major progress on the proposed runway upgrade project. However, based on information communicated to me, the runway upgrade project is currently expected to begin around mid-2027. This would represent an important next step in the long-term development of Jaffna International Airport. The runway is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure when considering the airport's ability to accommodate different types of aircraft and potentially expand its international operations. The exact schedule, scope and implementation of the project should ultimately be confirmed by the relevant authorities.


Is the Future Terminal Design Forward-Looking Enough?

I also had an opportunity to look at the proposed future terminal expansion plan. From what I could see, the proposal appears to focus mainly on extending the existing terminal rather than completely redeveloping it into a larger, future-oriented international terminal. This raises an important question:

Are we planning the airport only for today's requirements, or are we planning it for the next 20–30 years?

If Jaffna International Airport is eventually expected to handle aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, I believe it would be worth considering facilities that could support these operations in the future. One particular feature that caught my attention was the apparent absence of a jet bridge facility in the proposed expansion. If the long-term objective is to increase international operations and accommodate larger aircraft, why not consider jet bridges as part of the terminal development from the beginning? Of course, jet bridges are not essential for operating A320-family or 737-family aircraft. Airports can successfully handle these aircraft using apron-based boarding and passenger buses. However, incorporating jet bridges into the design could provide a more modern passenger experience and reduce the need for another major terminal modification in the future. A more forward-looking approach could also allow the airport to accommodate future passenger growth without repeatedly carrying out major construction projects.


The First Floor and Airport Offices

Another feature I noticed in the proposed terminal plan is a first floor intended to accommodate airport and aviation-related offices. Providing adequate office space is certainly important for airport operations. However, I believe the overall terminal design should place greater emphasis on long-term passenger growth, international connectivity, passenger processing capacity and the possibility of larger aircraft operations. Infrastructure built today should ideally serve the airport for many years rather than simply meeting its immediate requirements.


What Are Passengers Saying?

Perhaps the most important part of my visit was speaking with passengers who were actually travelling through Jaffna International Airport. Their feedback was mixed, but there were also several positive comments that deserve recognition.


Airport Staff Receive Positive Feedback

One of the strongest positive comments I heard was regarding the airport staff. Passengers told me that the staff are friendly, helpful and professional. In particular, some passengers highlighted the way staff assist elderly passengers and take care of them during their journey through the airport. This is an important strength of Jaffna International Airport, and I hope this level of service continues as the airport grows. Infrastructure can be improved over time, but good customer service is equally important to the passenger experience.


Baggage Allowance Remains a Concern

One of the main complaints from passengers was related to baggage allowance. Some passengers feel that the cost of purchasing additional baggage is relatively high. They also mentioned that there is a limit to how much additional baggage they can purchase, which can be inconvenient for passengers travelling internationally. This is particularly relevant for passengers travelling long distances or carrying more luggage for extended stays. It may be worth reviewing whether the baggage policies and additional baggage charges are appropriate for the type of international traffic that Jaffna International Airport is trying to attract.


Limited International Connectivity

Another issue raised by passengers was the airport's international connectivity. Some passengers travelling through India for onward connections have to obtain an Indian visa, even when India is only being used as a transit point. From a passenger perspective, having direct international services from Jaffna to destinations such as Dubai or other major international cities could significantly improve connectivity. Direct services would make travel more convenient for passengers and could potentially increase the attractiveness of Jaffna International Airport to the large overseas Tamil community and other international travelers. Of course, establishing such routes depends on factors such as airline demand, passenger numbers, aircraft availability, bilateral agreements and the commercial viability of the routes.


Aircraft Size and Flight Frequency

Passengers also mentioned that the aircraft currently operating some services can feel too small for the demand, particularly during busy periods. Another common concern was the limited flight frequency. Some passengers told me that having an additional flight at a different time of the day would provide much greater flexibility. For example, if there is currently only one convenient departure or arrival window, passengers have limited options when planning onward travel. Additional frequencies could make the airport considerably more attractive, even before introducing larger aircraft.


Passenger Feedback Should Be Part of Airport Planning

All of these comments highlight an important point; Airport development should not be based solely on infrastructure plans. Passenger feedback should also be taken seriously.
Passengers are the people who actually use the airport. Their experiences can provide valuable information about what is working well and what needs improvement.

Issues such as:

• baggage allowances and additional baggage charges;
• flight frequency;
• aircraft capacity;
• international connectivity;
• transit arrangements;
• passenger facilities; and
• overall convenience

should be considered alongside major infrastructure projects such as terminal and runway development. Looking towards the futureJaffna International Airport has considerable potential. The airport serves an important region of Sri Lanka and has the potential to provide better international connectivity for people in the Northern Province and the wider overseas Tamil community. However, future development should be approached with a long-term vision. Instead of simply expanding the existing terminal to meet today's requirements, the authorities should consider what the airport could look like in 10, 20 or even 30 years.





photo_4_2026-09-23_14-07-32.jpg photo_2_2026-09-23_14-07-32.jpg photo_3_2026-09-23_14-07-32.jpg photo_1_2026-09-23_14-07-31.jpg

Palaly Airport expansion land extent undecided

28 Aug 2026 | By Dilanthi Jayamanne

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that although an expansion of the Jaffna International Airport at Palaly is necessary, the extent of land required for the expansion has not yet been decided.

CAA Director – Air Navigation Services and Spokesperson Thilina Sri Warnasinghe, speaking to The Daily Morning, said yesterday (27) that the airport currently had only basic approaches and the facilities required for aircraft, and that any expansion beyond this would require land acquisition. “Definitely, there is no question about it. You have to do an expansion. As of now also, there are only basic approaches and all those things required for aircraft available at the airport. For anything to be expanded beyond this, acquisition is required,” he said.

However, Warnasinghe also said that Airport and Aviation Services Limited had not yet technically indicated any expansion and therefore, the amount of land required is still unclear. “They have not yet indicated whether they are going to expand or not. It all depends on the nature of the expansion,” he noted. “The Government-owned land would first have to be properly demarcated and surveyed before any further land is considered for acquisition”.

He added that any acquisition would be carried out according to Government standards and that compensation would be paid accordingly. “Land belonging to the CAA has been paid for and all compensation and all those things have been done and cleared. It has been for a long time,” he said.

According to Warnasinghe, the remaining land belonged to the Defence Ministry. “According to information I received, the Ministry has some land which is of a private nature, which has been acquired either during the war or at another time. I don’t know whether they have paid anything for that land,” he said. Meanwhile, attempts to contact the Deputy Civil Aviation Minister for comment proved futile.

Ministry Spokesperson, Brigadier Franklin Joseph said that the matter would have to be checked with the Ministry’s Parliamentary Affairs branch. “There has been talk about expanding it, but I don’t know what decisions have been taken regarding the properties. We have a Parliamentary Affairs branch in the Ministry, and they would have to check with them,” he said.

The Government is proposing to acquire land in Valikamam North for the expansion of the Palaly/Jaffna International Airport, while residents in areas including Myliddy have reportedly received notices regarding land earmarked for the proposed expansion. Allegations have been made by Opposition Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam that around 3,000 acres could be acquired for airport development.