Sri Lanka’s North will witness a boost in connectivity, with efforts to upgrade Jaffna International Airport (JIA) kicking off.
The Airport & Aviation Services on Monday called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for enhancing facilities, infrastructure and capabilities of JIA. As per a notice, the EOIs were called by the Cabinet-Appointed Negotiation Committee, on behalf of Airport & Aviation Services.
“The objective is to enable the operation of wide-bodied aircraft, specifically designed of A330, through the mode of design, build, finance, operate and transfer approach.”

Interested parties are required to meet the minimum criteria of having an average annual turnover of at least US$ 50 million or equivalent in any other currency, in the immediate past five years, as at the date of the opening of the EOIs. In addition to having sufficient bank credit line facilities (at least equal to project cost) as proof of credit, those interested must also have an audited balance sheet, with minimum US$ 20 million of net assets for the last financial year.
The deadline to submit proposals is April 3, 2024.
In October last year, Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announced JIA would receive a Rs.200 million upgrade, so that it can increase flight operations to India.