Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is set to undergo a significant redesign of its Arrival Lobby, aimed at improving the passenger experience and accommodating the increasing number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
As part of the redesign, several key improvements will be implemented:
- Relocation and increase in ATM machines to ease congestion and reduce waiting times.
- Expansion of the Arrival Lobby to create a more spacious and welcoming environment.
- Establishment of a central travel information counter to assist arriving tourists efficiently.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) has initiated these enhancements in response to the steady rise in tourist arrivals. Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema, Chairman of AASL, highlighted the necessity of these upgrades.
“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. However, the current Arrival Lobby layout has led to congestion, partly due to insufficient ATM machines and limited space. Following a visit by Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, to BIA, we 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.”
These measures are part of AASL’s ongoing efforts to enhance passenger experience and manage the growing volume of travelers at BIA. The improvements will serve as an interim solution until the completion of Terminal 2, scheduled for March 2028.
