The Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation has announced that three companies have submitted bids for an international tender to continue Phase II of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project, according to Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra.
These tenders were invited as part of the BIA Development Project Phase II, Stage 2, which aims to expand the airport’s capacity by enhancing critical infrastructure. Last month, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) issued tender number 105/T/2024, outlining the extensive construction work required for Package ‘A1.’
This package includes the completion of the Main Terminal Building, Pier No. 2, Pier No. 3, and various associated facilities. Notably, it also requires the construction of an elevated roadway and essential utility systems, such as power supply, sewage disposal, and water supply infrastructure.
The tender deadline is currently set for December, with three companies already submitting bids. Ruwanchandra noted that while more bidders were expected, it remains unclear if additional companies will participate.
Following the December deadline, an evaluation process will begin, with a final contractor selection anticipated within three months. “The designed capacity is six million passengers per year. However, last year, we handled 7.2 million, and this year we anticipate around 8.5 million,” he added.
The BIA’s development has been a gradual but vital project for Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure. In response to rising passenger demand, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to finance the Terminal 2 expansion through a concessionary loan scheme, committing Rs. 170 billion to the project. This partnership aims to increase the BIA’s annual passenger capacity to 16 million upon the terminal’s completion, significantly reducing congestion.
The new project package has an estimated construction period of 30 months, with final completion targeted for 2027. Although the project originally launched in December 2020 with an estimated cost of Rs. 145 billion, progress was halted by Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, leaving only 6% of Phase II complete.
Under Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) guidelines, the current tender process is open to eligible international bidders, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for November 12 and a bid closing date set for December 23.
Since the project’s inception in 2007, the expansion has faced various challenges and design changes. The current phase aims not only to modernize Sri Lanka’s largest airport but also to boost its capacity to serve the increasing regional demand for air travel.
