Sri Lanka new air cargo terminal to double capacity in Jan

Oct 14, 2009 (LBO) - A new terminal for export air cargo will open at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport in January 2010 which doubling capacity at the airport, state-run SriLankan Airlines said. In July, SriLankan Cargo had commissioned a new SkyChain cargo handling system.

The airline carries cargo on passenger aircraft and also has dedicated charter aircraft mainly for the Maldives and South India.

Sri Lanka's state airport authority, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd had handed over the terminal to the airline and it is being modified and prepared for the launch of services.

"Cargo is a key area of the airline’s business and annually contributes approximately 14 percent to the group’s revenue," SriLankan airlines head of worldwide sales Mohamed Fazeel said.

"The new building will place the airline in an ideal position to capitalise on the expected increased cargo traffic as the country begins an economic revival and the world comes out of its economic crisis."

After the new export terminal is opened the existing cargo terminal building will handle imports.

The 13,300 square metres building is on two floors and has facilities for perishables, cou