The Phase II of the Katunayake Airport Expansion Project is vested to the public, marking the first step in its development process as an aviation hub in Asia, connecting the Eastern and Western regions of the world.The Phase II of the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport Expansion Project was declared open by Hon. Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning (25).

Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport Expansion Project, which is considered to be the second largest development project in the country, aims to develop the airport in conformity with international taxiways as per a new plan in order to reflect Sri Lanka's identity and international airports.

By the end of the entire project, the annual passenger handling capacity of the Katunayake Airport, which is currently six million, will be increased up to 15 million passengers.The total cost of the Package B project of the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport Expansion Project which is a joint venture between Japan and Sri Lanka, is Rs. 6 billion.

The Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport Expansion Project was launched in 2014 under the leadership of then H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Hon. Prime Minister of Japan Xinhua Abe.

After completion, the new project will increase the number of taxiways at Bandaranaike International Airport to 49, doubling the existing parking facilities. With the extension of the apron, it facilitates aircraft to enter the new terminal building.

Following the completion of the remote taxiway under package B, the existing taxiway will be expanded from 269,000 square meters to 479,000 square meters, which will further enhance future demand and aircraft operations.

By the end of the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport expansion project, the number of check-in counters will increase from 53 to 149, the number of departure counters from 21 to 53 and the number of arrival counters from 27 to 83.The number of existing airbase entrances will increase from 6 to 16 and the number of airline lounges will increase from 4 to 10.Connecting the Eastern and Western regions of the world, the development of the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport as an aviation hub in Asia is one of the pioneering principles of the Mahinda Chinthana as well as the Vistas of Prosperity, the policy framework of the present government.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Hideki MIZUKOSHI and Minister of Tourism,Hon.Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Sports and Digital Technology,Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, State Minister of Aviation  and Export Zone  Development Hon.D.V. Chanaka were present at this occasion.