Explore the route

Hambantota Airport receives its IATA code (HTT) - http://airlineindustryreview.com/ham...its-iata-code/

Sri Lanka to open sea plane landing facility near airport next month

Sri Lanka is expediting the work on building a sea plane landing facility in Seeduwa Dadugam Oya near the country's international airport in Katunayake.

The facility will have an access road and a terminal facility to take the tourists arriving in the country directly from the airport to their desired resorts elsewhere in the country.

Japan grants US$ 510 million loan to Sri Lanka for social and economic development
Wed, Mar 28, 2012, 11:45 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 28, Colombo: The government of Japan today announced that it has provided Sri Lanka with a loan package of approximately Rs. 66 billion rupees (42.477 billion Yen) for three projects to aimed to facilitate the social and economic development initiatives in the country.

Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo on behalf of the Government of Japan and Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr. P.B. Jayasundera on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka signed the loan agreement Wednesday, March 28th at the Ministry of a Finance and Planning in Colombo.

Under the Phase 2 of the Bandaranaike International Airport Development Project approximately Rs. 45 billion of the loan will be provided to improve and modernize the facilities of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and construct a second passenger terminal in order to cope with the increased air traffic and transform the airport as a main commercial and business hub in the region, a press release by the Embassy of Japan in Colombo said.

In the earlier phase Japan provided Rs. 19 billion to improve the facilities of the airport including among others the construction of a modern departure passenger terminal that is currently in use.

Approximately Rs. 6 billion) will be provided to improve the health facilities in the country under the 'Project for Improvement of Basic Social Services Targeting Emerging Regions'.

This portion of the loan is to be used to strengthen the drug production capacity of the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC), upgrade facilities of secondary hospitals in Central, Sabaragamuwa, North Western and Eastern Provinces to function as core hospitals and to provide around 125 ambulances to rural hospitals.

Under this project a building will be constructed and refurnished modern machinery will be installed to locally manufacture drugs to alleviate the drug shortages in state hospitals.

The third project will receive approximately Rs. 15 billion to construct the 220 KV Transmission Line from Habarana to Veyangoda to improve the stability and reliability of the transmission system, to cater to the growing demand of electricity in the country, and to increase efficiency in the power sector.

The three projects are in line with the needs identified by the Sri Lankan government, Japan said.

The loans under this scheme are offered on highly concessionary terms and conditions and are administered by Japan's International Cooperation Agency.

"This year Japan and Sri Lanka commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and these projects are symbolic in terms of Japan�s long-term cooperation in Sri Lanka's overall development process and strengthening the bonds of goodwill between our two countries, " the Embassy said in its statement.

I thought the HTT terminal is going to be something like this - http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/08...Mattala-01.jpg

AFAIK the picture Highflyer provided is what it will look like when it opens (Stage 1). Once the airport is expanded after a few years it will look like your picture (Stage 2). Not entirely sure so correct me if Im wrong.

Sri lanka- 41 Billion Rupees to develop the Bandaranaike International Airport 30-3-2012

TOWER TOP VIEW - Colombo International Airport (IATA: CMB, ICAO: VCBI)

OMG !! It looks like the aircraft movements have been increased so much at CMB. Any idea when will CMB expansion project starts ??

Great I mean really a great video.

I Always wanted to see CMB with full of aircrafts.Thanks for sharing this.

Sri Lanka airport lounge opened by Emirates

Apr 05, 2012 (LBO) - Dubai-based Emirates had built 200 million rupee lounge for its first and business class passengers, at Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport, near the capital Colombo, the airline said.

"Emirates is one of the most active carriers serving Colombo, with 28 flights a week," Chandana de Silva, area manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives said in a statement.

"This makes the Emirates lounge a tangible value addition to passengers departing or transiting at the BIA.

"Our investment in this facility reflects the continuing commitment of Emirates to its operations in Sri Lanka, as well as our optimism about the potential of the destination."

The 5,778-square-foot lounge is similar to 30 others international airports around the world. It can accommodate up to 118 passengers.

The lounge has leather armchairs, a dining area for 54 people, a business centre an outdoor terrace overlooking airside with seating, a TV viewing area, a prayer room, Wi-Fi, shower facilities, and washrooms for males, females and disabled.

Any pics of new EK lounge?

Emirates invests in own premium lounge at BIA



Award-winning carrier spends Rs. 200 m on plush dedicated facility for First and Business Class passengers and Skywards Gold members

Emirates has opened its own dedicated passenger lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake (BIA), becoming the first international airline to invest in such a facility at the BIA.

Completed at a cost of Rs. 200 million, the Emirates lounge on the second floor of the Arrivals Terminal is exclusively for the use of the airline’s First and Business Class passengers and Gold members of Skywards, its frequent flyer programme.

The 5,778-square-foot space is designed, equipped and furnished to the exacting specifications developed for Emirates lounges at 30 other major international airports around the world. It can accommodate up to 118 passengers in comfort, helping further cushion them from travel weariness.

“Emirates is one of the most active carriers serving Colombo, with 28 flights a week,” said Chandana de Silva, Emirates Area Manager Sri Lanka & Maldives. “This makes the Emirates lounge a tangible value addition to passengers departing or transiting at the BIA. Our investment in this facility reflects the continuing commitment of Emirates to its operations in Sri Lanka, as well as our optimism about the potential of the destination.”

The Emirates lounge at the BIA features 58 leather armchairs, a dining area for 54 people, a Business Centre with seating for six, an outdoor terrace overlooking airside with seating, a well-stocked bar, a TV viewing area with the choice of most of the international channels, a dedicated prayer room, shower facilities, and washrooms for males, females and disabled. It offers buffet dining for all meals and Wi-Fi facilities.

Sri Lanka positioning as cargo hub



I feel it can develop like Singapore and Hong Kong, as a service centre and cargo hub