Jaffna International Airport: Business plan for expansion due in eight month
The Morning: The business plan for the expansion of the Jaffna International Airport, including strategies to attract additional airlines, will be finalised by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) within the next 6–8 months, according to the Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku revealed that the Government had assigned AASL to carry out a study and develop a business plan for the expansion of the Jaffna International Airport and to attract more airlines to it.
He further revealed that they were considering various strategies under the business plan, such as the reduction of embarkation fees to attract airlines to the airport.
Commenting on the reduction of the embarkation fees, he stated: “We haven’t made a final decision with regard to this. We are considering its implementation.
“We haven’t made a decision on the timeline and other relevant aspects. It will come together with the business plan.”
The Deputy Minister further stated that such strategies would be implemented only once the runway at the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly had been expanded to accommodate larger aircraft.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business earlier this month, Kodithuwakku revealed that they had commenced the tender process to identify a contractor for the construction of a new terminal building at the airport, which they hoped to complete in two years’ time.
He further revealed that the proposed construction of the new terminal building at the airport would be fully funded by the Government and that the project was estimated to cost approximately Rs. 600 million.
OSL take:
With Sri Lanka’s expanding economic activities and growth as an emerging business destination in the South Asian region, there’s an increasing demand to further uplift and develop external and internal connectivity. The increasing number of flights operated to Sri Lanka by many international airlines indicates the steady growth in the country’s business, trade and tourism industries. This is further evident by the Sri Lankan government’s focus on further developing connectivity within the country through the move to develop several key highway projects as well as develop several domestic airports to regional standards. All these programmes to uplift and develop internal and external connectivity have presented a host of business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses/investors on the lookout for lucrative ventures in the South Asian region, especially in Sri Lanka. It is in such a backdrop that the expansion of the Jaffna International Airport has presented a lucrative business opportunity for foreign businesses/investors. Given that Sri Lanka is on the path to becoming a hub in the South Asian region, Sri Lanka’s development programmes in improving connectivity present a multitude of business/investment opportunities that would witness a further expansion due to the need to be on par with global standards with the increase in business, trade and tourism sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250901/Z_3 |