Driverless vehicles banned from parking at BIA arrivals lounge

27 May 2024 12:30 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, May 27 (Daily Mirror) - A decision has been taken not to allow vehicles without drivers to be parked in the arrivals lounge premises at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) announced today.

In the notice, AASL Chairman Engineer Athula Galketiya said the decision to prohibit vehicles without drivers from being parked in the arrivals lounge premises at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was made to alleviate traffic congestion and streamline vehicular movements.

Vehicles are required to arrive at the arrivals lounge only at the designated times for pickups. No permission will be granted to park any vehicle in the arrivals lounge for more than 30 minutes, even with the driver being present, Chairman Galketiya said.

He said vehicles parked for more than 30 minutes at the arrivals lounge, causing traffic congestion and disregarding the orders, will be charged an extra fee upon leaving the airport.

This measure aims to provide a quality service to air passengers and will help prevent the entry of unauthorized vehicles and individuals, while ensuring the safety of the airport as well, he said.

Comments - 16

Christo255 Monday, 27 May 2024 01:21 PM

Stupidest idea, what if the plane is delayed, luggage is delayed, customs delay, immigration delay bad weather etc etc etc? Not justifiable to penalise people for things beyond their control. Increase vehicle parking capacity and be proactive when arrivals are increasing with better tourism numbers, rather than placing restrictions always.

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Frank David Monday, 27 May 2024 01:27 PM

What is this dickhead talking? Where are we supposed to park our vehicles when we go to the airport to pick up our families and friends? God have mercy on us. Things are getting crazier in this country day by day.

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BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 27 May 2024 01:39 PM

This Airport is like the Peliyagoda Fish Market. The space for vehicles to drop and pick up is totally inadequate. Further, it only take not more than 10m for a vehicle to stop and pick up or drop a passenger, but there are tons of vehicles idling in this location. 30m is too long time and is far too much for a poorly managed Airport such as Katunayake. Further, there are thousands of people both in the arrival and departure zones nonchalantly standing around and crowding the area and causing a security risk to both departure and arrival passengers. Simply said, this is like a fish market.

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Priyan66 Monday, 27 May 2024 02:21 PM

very good move

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Nalin Gooneratne Monday, 27 May 2024 02:38 PM

This should apply for the police vehicles also. One day when I arrived and there was a large crowd due the several planes arriving. Three police vehicles were parked for a long time and when I asked a police officer he was very rude.

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Jurang Monday, 27 May 2024 03:34 PM

Good move, Park the vehicle at the parking area, once the arrival passenger is ready contact the driver to pickup at the Arrival area.

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Citizen Monday, 27 May 2024 03:42 PM

Good move if it includes taxi and tour guides. Those buggers act like they own the place. Violent mafia if you get in their way.

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Mohamed Adham Tuesday, 28 May 2024 10:14 AM

Very true. They park for hours occupying valuable parking space and then, if you park , they come and double park , completely blocking your exit, until they return to move their obstructing vehicle. Police simply turn the other way and sometimes not present at all.

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Terrence K Monday, 27 May 2024 03:57 PM

When several passengers are disembarking from different planes how could the Civil Aviation accomodate all these cars at any given time. This is the correct decision and anyone who flouts the law will be liable for special charges. We need to bring some type of discipline at the arrival section since some vehicles are parked for indefinite periods which causes congestion and a nuisance to those passengers to leave the airport. Cannot understand how selfish comments are appearing in this column as the information desk at the airport will confirm whether the respective plane has landed and giving time for baggage clearance the passenger could be out in 1 or 1 1/2 hours. So what is this hullabaloo!!!!!!!

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Ranil Monday, 27 May 2024 04:15 PM

Not a good idea for those who can't time their arrival for 30 minutes or less. Also for someone who parks and leaves the car to go into the arrivals lounge.

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The holy ghost Monday, 27 May 2024 04:34 PM

Driverless vehicles in SL. Do you mean ghosts drive these vehicles?

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Gokula Siripathiarachchi Monday, 27 May 2024 05:54 PM

No..not ghosts..Elon Musks autonomous Teslas...maybe Elon has promised Ranil to supply autonomous vehicles and BIA is being proactive in anticipating problems

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M Fernando Monday, 27 May 2024 06:08 PM

Nope - we have beaten Tesla in the field of Driverless Vehicles. That is why Elon Musk will visit Sri Lanka - to understand how i t is done. Also, Musk wishes to study how our Prez. travels with 15 vehicles including fire-truck, ambulance and fuel truck etc. Musk will build a Tesla that incorporates all these features

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Frequent traveller Monday, 27 May 2024 07:04 PM

Excellent move. When passengers arrive they can ring for their transport to arrive 1- 2 hours time. Arrival area is disgusting and unsafe with the crowd. Can’t the airport organise a parking* area about 5 miles from the airport. In this area information board should be available about the arrival of planes.

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Daya Wakista Tuesday, 28 May 2024 04:07 AM

30 mins is far too long. 10 mins is quite sufficient. Iam a frequent traveller and I experience the mess few a times a year. All have cell phones. Vehicles can be parked in the Parking Area for a fee and can be brought to the arrival area just in time. They must get rid of the TOUTS who are banned in most other Airports.

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Intiquab Ghouse Tuesday, 28 May 2024 03:18 PM

why make a fuss,once the passenger has cleared he could wait till the vehicle arrives to the pickup availability spot, once the driver spots the passenger he could bring the vehicle,first get rid of the touts, they work with the police and airport authorities.

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