The government is reconsidering its plans to build a second runway at the Katunayake international airport.
The proposal ran into trouble due to heavy protests by residents who would loose their homes in land acquisitions for the new runway.
rn
rnPlans for the second runway at the countries only international airport were drafted to make the country a regional air hub.rn
rnThe international air transport association requires that regional air hubs have at least two runways. This assures that aircrafts dont have to carry excess fuel for diversions to other regional airports, in case of an emergency.
rn
rnHowever authorities are planning to improve the infrastructure at the airport by improving the present runway and terminal.rn
rnldblquote Our existing runway is anyway is underutilized, dblquote says BOI Chairman Arjuna Mahendran.rn
rnldblquote Our objectives are to increase the utilization of the existing runway. We have to lengthen, strengthen and broaden it to accommodate the A380 double -d