The Road Development Authority was given the task of extending the runway from 1,070 metres to 1,560 metres, suitable for 60-seater aircraft, but in November 2015, with 60% of the work completed, the renovation came to a stop. In December 2015 the government ordered the air force to complete the extension of the runway. The location of the airport, a narrow peninsula surrounded on three sides by Batticaloa Lagoon, limited the length of the runway. A new terminal building was also built by the air force. The airport came under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority from 31 May 2016 and the state-owned Airport and Aviation Services was appointed operator of the civilian side of the airport. The airport covers an area of out of which the air force occupies just over half - . The renovated airport was opened by President Maithripala Sirisena on 10 July 2016 but as it did not conform to civil aviation requirements there was no civilian flights from the airport. Civilian operations eventually commenced on 25 March 2018 with Cinnamon Air operating two daily flights. The renovations cost Rs 1.4 billion. International airport As Jaffna Airport was being redeveloped by the Government of India, civil society groups from eastern Sri Lanka complained to the Indian consul in Jaffna that Indian development work was only focussed on the north and ignored the east. In 2019 the Indian government agreed to redevelop Batticaloa Airport and the Sri Lankan government agreed to make it an international airport as well. Cabinet approval was given in September 2019 to make the airport a regional airport, allowing international flights but not long-haul flights. In early October 2019 the airport was made a regional airport and renamed Batticaloa International Airport. The airport is expected to be ready for international flights by January 2020. Alliance Air and FitsAir have expressed interest in operating international flights from Batticaloa. Airlines and destinations All the following flights are currently suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic: References External links 1958 establishments in Ceylon Airports in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Air Force bases Transport buildings and structures in Batticaloa District Airports established in 1958