Feasibility studies have commenced for the development of the Hingurakgoda Airport into an international civil airport and for the further expansion of the Jaffna International Airport, according to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL).
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, AASL Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri revealed that following the decision made by the Government earlier this year to develop the Hingurakgoda Airport – also known as the Minneriya Airport – into an international civil airport, the AASL had commenced a feasibility study in this regard.
Elaborating further, he stated: “The feasibility study will first be carried out by the AASL. Thereafter, tenders will be called, after which the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority will have to be obtained.”
Addressing the timeline for commencement of the development activities at the Hingurakgoda Airport, he stated: “It is too early to comment on that. We are just starting our work and the feasibility studies are taking place. Before we start developing an international airport, there are many things that need to be done.”
Chandrasiri further stated that the AASL had also commenced feasibility studies on the expansion of the Jaffna International Airport.
He explained that they were seeking to expand the runway of the Jaffna International Airport, which would enable the airport to handle narrow-body regional jets such as the Airbus A320/321 and the Boeing 737 Max.
Presently, the Jaffna International Airport can only accommodate turboprops such as the 72-passenger ATR 72-600 (the type operated by Alliance Air).
Earlier this year, announcing the Government’s decision to develop the Hingurakgoda Airport as an international civil airport, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva pointed out the convenience of facilitating visits to Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Dambulla by transforming the Hingurakgoda Airport into an international civil airport.
“A field study will be conducted pertaining to improving and developing the airport for the landing and takeoff of A330 aircraft. Extending the current 2,287 m runway up to 2,800 m, construction of an access way to the airport runway, setting up an air navigation system, and construction of an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and a passenger terminal at the airport were decided as essential measures,” he added.
