Four automatic passenger clearance gates to install at BIA departure terminal

Colombo, Dec. 30 (Daily Mirror) - The government has approved the installation of four automatic passenger clearance gates at the departure terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade airport facilities to international standards.

The development is being carried out under a cooperation agreement between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Government of Japan. In 2023, improvements at BIA commenced with the support of a Japanese grant amounting to 1,170 million yen under the project titled “Preparation for Border Infectious Disease Control in Southeast Asian Countries.”

Under this project, four automatic passenger clearance gates have already been installed at the airport’s arrival terminal, and passenger clearance through these gates is expected to begin in the near future. The introduction of similar gates at the departure terminal is expected to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of passenger processing by adopting a uniform clearance system.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has granted approval for the proposal submitted by the Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister to proceed with the installation of four automatic passenger clearance gates at the BIA departure terminal during the year 2026.