Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A parallel runway which is well spaced from the existing runway at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be constructed at an appropriate location, paving the way for independent and simultaneous operations of both runways, aiming at enhancing handling capacity, efficiency and productivity of aircraft movements of the international airport, according to the National Policy on Aviation.
This will be among several measures that will be taken for the development of airport infrastructure and to develop and maintain all existing and proposed domestic and international airports in Sri Lanka according to required standards and the foreseeable demand based on traffic forecasts.
It states that BIA will be promoted as a hub airport, whilst developing other local airports based on market demand.
The policy paper says that in the development of new airports or renovation or expansion of existing airports, the Government of Sri Lanka will ensure that systematic planning, designing, development, implementation, operation and maintenance will take place through close coordination and proper dialogue with the statutory service provider, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) and all other parties concerned.
It adds that the Government will work towards setting up and operating four regional airports covering the north, east, south and west of Sri Lanka with a view to improving connectivity both internally and externally.
Other than at domestic airports, which are exclusively used by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) for security reasons, all domestic airports will be made available for joint civil/military use with clear segregation of civil and military activities. In this context, areas for civil and SLAF operations will be clearly separated and demarcated.
Allocating land in the civil area on long-term lease for prospective investors will be optional for the purpose of setting up and operating civil aviation infrastructure. In all civil/military joint airports, civil standards will be applied and maintained.
