CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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BIA arrival lobby to be redesigned for enhanced passenger experience
The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) 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) (Private) Limited - AASL - Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) and Chairman Harsha Abeywickrema said they have initiated the upgrades in response to the steady rise in tourist arrivals.
Accordingly, the relocation and increase in the number of ATMs to reduce congestion, expansion of the arrival lobby area to create a more spacious and welcoming environment, establishment of a central travel information counter to assist arriving tourists will be carried out.
The new redesigning will include an increase in the number of ATMs 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, he said.
These measures are part of AASL’s efforts to enhance passenger experience and manage the increasing volume of travellers at BIA until the completion of Terminal 2 in March 2028.
Sri Lanka has seen a significant rise in tourist arrivals, particularly in the last quarter of 2024, with momentum continuing into 2025. In January 2025, daily arrivals averaged 8,150—a 23% increase from 6,700 in January 2024.
However, congestion at the Arrival Lobby remains a challenge due to limited space and insufficient ATMs.
Following a visit of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation minister Bimal Rathnayake to BIA, we have initiated plans to redesign and expand the lobby to better accommodate the growing passenger volume, the Chairman said
The redesign will include additional ATMs to reduce waiting times and the relocation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Travel Information Counter to a central, more accessible location, ensuring a warm welcome for visitors.
These enhancements are part of AASL’s ongoing efforts to improve the passenger experience and manage rising traffic at BIA ahead of Terminal 2’s completion in March 2028.
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