Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka

Key Data

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), also known as Katunayake International Airport, is located in the town of Katunayake to the north of Colombo. Serving six million passengers a year, it acts as a hub for Sri Lankan Airlines and serves British Airways, AirAsia, Indian Airlines, Condor, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates and Jet Airways.

BIA is the only international airport in Sri Lanka and is operated by Airport and Aviation Services. Construction began in 1964 and was completed in 1967. BIA replaced Ratmalana Airport as the country's international airport, and is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Sri Lanka.

The airport has been a popular cargo port for a many years, in the past serving Lufthansa, Emirates and China Airlines. It also served Trans World Airlines (TWA) for a short time. At present, MidEx Airlines is the active freight carrier. The airport is also fully equipped to handle the Boeing 747-400 mega top aircraft.

BIA was a base for the UK's Royal Air Force during the World War II, and in 1957 it was handed over to the Royal Ceylon Air Force. It was later renamed as Katunayake International Airport.

BIA expansion master plan

The expansion of BIA is being carried out in two phases.

Construction work under Phase I began in 1987 and finished in 2000. The work carried out included the construction of a runway, taxiways (A, B, C, D, E) and aprons (A, B and maintenance).

"In 2012, work is expected to begin on a second runway at Bandaranaike International Airport to support the Airbus A380."

Phase II began in 2001 and will be completed by 2012. Work completed so date includes the overlay of the taxiway, expansion of the apron (60,800m²), improvement of the apron (9,400m²), construction of the sewage treatment plant and cargo terminal building (13,000m²), setting up of the secondary surveillance radar, RDP and ATC consoles for approach control and weather observation and displays.

The remaining Phase II works are underway, and include the construction of a pier with two-levels of airbridges for arriving and departing passengers, a taxiway and a 104,000m² passenger terminal building. The terminal is scheduled for construction in 2011 and is expected to be completed by 2012.

In addition, a multistorey car park, a 50-room transit hotel and a remote aircraft apron area are a part of the Phase II works. After the expansion, BIA's capacity is expected to double to 12 million passengers a year.

Terminals

The BIA has three cargo terminals and one passenger terminal.

The arrival and departure areas in the passenger terminal are located close to each other, easing the movement of passengers between terminals. There are 39 check-in desks, four gates, 575 short-term parking spaces, three airport hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, a VIP lounge, duty-free shop and disabled access / facilities. In 2009, a lounge named Silk Route was opened at the terminal. It provides facilities such as food, newspapers and the internet.

The cargo village terminal I occupies an area of 2,787m², and includes freight forwarders, warehouses, airline offices, banks, courier service, gem and diamond exchange and customs. The 1,858m² cargo village terminal II has facilities for refrigerated and frozen cargo, airmail sorting centre and offshore avionics workshop.

Runway

The Bandaranaike international airport has a single runway (04/22) with asphalt surface. The take-off and landing distances of the runway are 3,441m and 3,350m respectively. The overall length of the runway is 91m. There is a plan to construct a second runway to support the Airbus A380. The construction is expected to begin in 2012.

BIA air traffic control

The BIA's air traffic control system features a control tower and an approach radar control centre. The 35m control tower covers a radius of 10nm from the airport and can control aircraft in the air to a maximum altitude of 4,000ft.

BIA is equipped with mono-pulse secondary surveillance radar (MSSR) equipment to provide a better air traffic control service.

BIA parking

The airport comprises two open-air parking areas, terminal parking and remote parking. The terminal car park has the capacity to accommodate 400 vehicles (only cars and vans). The remote parking area, located 300m away from the terminal, is larger. It accommodates motor cycles, buses, lorries and three-wheel vehicles.

"Phase II works include the construction of a pier with two-levels of airbridges, a taxiway and a 104,000m² passenger terminal building."

Rail infrastructure

In June 2010, as a part of Airport & Aviation Development Program, a train service was launched between BIA and Colombo Secretariat Station.

Contractors

The airport was built by the Taisei-Mitsubishi joint venture. Maga Engineering developed the existing cargo building, and the new terminal building contract was awarded to Japan Airport Consultants (JAC).

BIA controversies

On 4 December 1974, Martinair Flight 138 crash-landed, killing 191 passengers. On 3 May 1986, Air Lanka Flight 512, which had to fly to the Maldives, exploded killing 14 people.

On July 24, 2001, the airport was attacked by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Black Tigers who destroyed eight military aircraft and two Airbus aircraft. Seven government personnel were killed.

On March 25, 2007, the LTTE bombed Sri Lanka Air Force base where three personnel were killed and 16 injured.

Bandaranaike International Airport serves six million passengers each year.

The Emirates Airlines Airbus A380 (superjumbo) aircraft uses the airport as an emergency / medical alternative.

A vehicle going through the automatic entry system at the airport.

The 35m control tower covers a radius of 10nm.

A train service was launched between BIA and Colombo Secretariat Station in June 2010.