By: Staff Writer
November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government is establishing a special unit at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to improve passenger experiences during flight delays.
The new unit, designed to provide real-time flight updates and maximize passenger comfort, will operate 24/7.
This initiative follows complaints about delays, especially on SriLankan Airlines flights, which prompted Minister Vijitha Herath to visit the airport in Katunayake.
During his visit, the minister toured various airport sections and held discussions with staff to understand the challenges firsthand. He instructed authorities to take immediate action to minimize delays and improve services for travelers.
BIA is now gearing up for a busy winter season, is seeing a significant recovery in air traffic. The airport is on track to return to pre-pandemic levels, with 28 airlines currently operating scheduled services connecting BIA to 50 destinations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
According to Dr. Sumith De Silva, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., BIA is rapidly rebuilding its global connectivity after a sharp decline in passenger numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, BIA has already registered 6.63 million passengers, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Aircraft movements have risen by 22%, and cargo volume has grown by 25%.
To meet the rising demand, particularly during the winter months, BIA has introduced seasonal and charter flights.
Notable additions include Enter Air, offering three weekly flights from Poland; Edelweiss Air, launching weekly flights from Zurich through May 2025; and Azur Air, resuming services from five Russian cities to Colombo.
Additionally, new routes from Jetstar Asia and Centrum Air will strengthen connections to Singapore and Uzbekistan, with Jetstar’s Singapore service starting in November.
BIA’s expansion is supported by an extensive network of airlines, including Aeroflot, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, and SriLankan Airlines, among others. These airlines offer seamless connections to major international cities like London, Paris, Sydney, and Dubai, reinforcing BIA’s status as one of the most well-connected airports in the region.
As BIA continues to recover and grow, Dr. De Silva emphasized the airport’s commitment to safety, adhering to international aviation standards to ensure passenger confidence.
With enhanced security, a growing network of flights, and improved services for travelers, BIA is poised to remain a key hub for international travel as it welcomes more global passengers this winter.
