Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

BIA risks being blacklisted if renovations are delayed: Minister

7 March 2017 10:00 am - 5     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was in risk of being blacklisted if renovations of the main runway were further delayed, Civil Aviation and Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

On a visit to inspect the progress of the project, the minster said the authorities were forced to expedite the renovation due to the risk of being blacklisted.

The main runway at the BIA was closed for renovation on January 6 and will be reopen for use on April 6. The airport now functions only eight hours each day (from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm).

“Several parties opposed the decision to close the airport but we have not closed it entirely and it is for only eight hours a day. Construction is on schedule with 75 percent of the project being completed,” he said.

The minister said the Chinese company had guaranteed that the runway would be durable for at least 20 years. The company was using technology from the Netherlands and used local engineers for the project, de Silva added.

The project will widen the existing runway from 65 metres to 75 metres, a necessary upgrade to allow large aircraft such as the A-380 to use the airport.

Under phase two of the project, new terminals will be constructed in a new building when the renovation of the runway is completed. The project is scheduled to begin in July and tenders have been called for the project.(Darshana Sanjeewa)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 5

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • JAN Tuesday, 07 March 2017 05:51 PM

    we would like to know entire renovation cost of the Airport and how much loan has approved via DM Android App

    nimal Tuesday, 07 March 2017 06:10 PM

    Repairing what must have been worlds bumpiest runway.

    seqi Tuesday, 07 March 2017 06:53 PM

    lets hope other international airport has wide enough runway via DM Android App

    arjuna Tuesday, 07 March 2017 07:10 PM

    Biggest problem government will face in the near future is where they going to store paddy as Mattala airport is fully functioning.

    TONY Tuesday, 07 March 2017 08:15 PM

    PLS BUILD ANOTHER RUNWAY SO THAT WE NEED NOT CLOSE THE AIRPORT EVEN FOR AN HOUR IN THE FUTURE


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H

MIRROR CRICKET

More