BIA arrival lobby to undergo significant redesign

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Sri Lanka is set to undergo a significant redesign of its arrival lobby to improve passenger experience, particularly for the growing number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka.?

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) said that the ATM machines will be relocated to reduce congestion and more machines will be added.

The arrival lobby area will be expanded to create a more spacious and welcoming environment.

A central travel information counter will be established to assist tourists arriving in the country.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited has initiated these changes in response to the steady rise in tourist arrivals.

?We have observed a significant increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, particularly in the last quarter of 2024, with the momentum continuing into 2025. In January 2025, daily tourist arrivals averaged around 8,150, reflecting a 23% increase compared to the 6,700 daily arrivals recorded in January 2024,” Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

He said the current arrival lobby layout has led to congestion, partly due to insufficient ATM machines and limited space. Following a visit by Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, to BIA, they decided to redesign and expand the arrival lobby to better accommodate the growing number of passengers.

“The redesign will include an increase in the number of ATM machines to reduce waiting times and the relocation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Travel Information Counter to a central location, ensuring tourists are warmly welcomed and assisted upon arrival,” Abeywickrema said.

He said the measures are part of AASL?s efforts to enhance passenger experience and manage the increasing volume of travelers at BIA until the completion of Terminal 2 in March 2028. (Colombo Gazette)