Sri Lanka’s BIA to undergo major redesign to enhance passenger experience

Friday, 14 February 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Congestion at arrival lobby and Minister’s visit prompts AASL to accelerate efforts to enhance airport facilities ahead of completion of Terminal 2 in March 2028
Key upgrades include expansion of arrival lobby, an increase in number of ATMs and relocation of Sri Lanka Tourism Travel Information Centre

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is set for a major redesign of its arrival lobby in a bid to improve passenger experience amid rising tourist arrivals.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) Chairman Harsha Abeywickrema has announced that the initiative follows a steady increase in visitors, with daily arrivals averaging 8,150 in January 2025—a 23% rise from 6,700 in the same period last year.

It was noted that the congestion at the arrival lobby has emerged as a persistent issue, prompting AASL to accelerate efforts to enhance airport facilities ahead of the completion of Terminal 2 in March 2028.

The move comes after Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake visited BIA, highlighting the urgent need to accommodate the surge in passenger volume.

Key upgrades include the expansion of the arrival lobby, an increase in the number of ATMs and the relocation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Travel Information Counter to a central location to better assist tourists.

The additional ATMs are expected to ease congestion and reduce waiting times, while the redesigned layout aims to create a more spacious and welcoming environment for incoming passengers.

BIA remains Sri Lanka’s primary international gateway, hosting over 30 airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air India, Turkish Airlines, IndiGo, and the national carrier SriLankan Airlines. With the redesign, AASL aims to boost its capacity and efficiency, ensuring a smoother arrival process for visitors, while positioning the airport as a competitive regional hub.

In 2024, the country’s airports registered over 8.88 million passenger movements, reflecting a 17.69% year-on-year growth, alongside 56,289 aircraft movements (up 20.69%) and 192,498 metric tons of cargo (up 21.13%).

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