BIA back in business

The reconstructed main runway of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was declared open at 12.37 p.m today.

Newly purchased aircraft UL-1162 which arrived from Trivandrum, India was the first to land on the renovated runway, which has the capacity to accommodate large aircrafts such as the A-380.

Civil Aviation and Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and Deputy Minister Ashok Abeysinghe were present at the opening ceremony.    

The airport’s main runway was closed for renovations on January 6 and was open for business each night for eight hours (from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.).

The US$ 50 million project, widened the runway from 65 meters to 75 meters and fitted in a LED lighting system enabling the airport to operate even under severe weather conditions, the Ministry said. (T.K.G.Kapila)