AASL Strategy to Increase Air Cargo Handling Capacities at Bandaranaike International Airport

January 03, 2023

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Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited takes the pleasure of leading from the front in facilitating increased capacity of air cargo operations at BIA. Under this vision, construction of a three-storied reinforced concrete building with mezzanine floor (approximate area: 18,715 m2), construction of a structural steel prefabricated building (approximate area: 1,567 m2), road widening (approximate area: 555 m2), and construction of a parking area (approximate area: 1,620 m2) with mechanical, electrical, and IT works are underway at present. This will be the 6th air cargo terminal added to BIA as a new import air cargo building, which will provide an overall capacity enhancement of up to 400,000 MT from 250,000 MT for users by strategically converting the current import terminal facility to export operations.

In today’s business environment, it has become a national requirement to facilitate finding new markets for domestic production and promote our exports in the international market to earn back foreign revenue for the country. On its part as the airport operator and aviation service provider, AASL’s strategy is to facilitate said national need with much-needed capacity for the future growth of industrial, general, and perishable exports originating from all corners of Sri Lanka, for faster air freighting. As part of the overall strategy, the new entrance building that was opened to the public on January 3, 2023, would provide an improved one-stop facility for all users of BIA Air Cargo premises, including the added efficiencies of an in-house developed automated vehicle management system.

With the current development plans underway, the proposed new air cargo terminal will undoubtedly play a key role in supporting the future requirements and demands of the industry.