The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation claims that passenger traffic at the Katunayake International Airport has increased to 10 million.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Ashok Abeysinghe said, Katunayake Airport had been initially built to handle passenger traffic of up to 6.5 million adding the expansion and building of another terminal is necessary to ease congestion and construction on a new airport terminal has begun.
The Deputy Minister said the Deputy Minister Abeysighe noted discussions have been held with the Japanese government on the subject and added once buildings are further expanded the airport will be transformed into one of the most modern airports in Asia and the Ministry expected to commence work in this regard in 2018.
The Deputy Minister also noted the government is considering the construction of a new runway at the airport as by the year 2025-2030, more air crafts could be expected as the number of passengers commuting through the airport could significantly increase.
Deputy Minister Ashok Abeysighe said at present around 175 aircrafts land at the airport during a single day and added this number is expected to double by 2030.
The Deputy Minister stated in order to build a new runway, it must be constructed at least 700 meters away from the existing runway adding a large portion of the Katunayake area including residential areas may have to be utilised for this.
The Deputy Minister further said nothing has been decided yet but assessments are currently underway.
