Bandaranaike, Colombo

About this project

Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo

Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, the Capital of Sri Lanka is facing an enormous growth in air traffic. The existing runway and taxiways have been serving air traffic for almost 3 decades without interruption. An upgrading of pavements and lighting systems was required to prepare these facilities for the next 3 decades and to allow large wide-bodies, including the Airbus A380, to use the airport in a safe manner, even during low visibility conditions.

The client, AASL awarded a Design & Construct contract for the runway and taxiways to one of China’s biggest Contractors, AVIC International. While the AASL engineering division was responsible for the Project Management, NACO Netherlands Airport Consultants was appointed as the Engineer for design reviews and construction supervision. This strong team of AASL, AVIC and NACO was required to face the biggest challenge of this project: Upgrading the pavements and lighting systems of a runway and taxiways while air traffic continues.

With the full cooperation of the Civil Aviation Authorities, Air Traffic Control, the Air Force and the Airlines a very ambitious schedule was defined to complete the works within three months where the Contractor was allowed to work for 8 hours per day, while air traffic should be able to continue in a safe manner during the remaining hours.

The upgraded runway was officially inaugurated, on the 6th of April 2017 by the Minister of Transport Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Chairman of AASL Mr. Ediriweera.

Bandaranaike International Airport is ready for its next step in the airport expansion program.