By: Staff Writer
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is poised for a major transformation, with a focus on enhancing the Arrival Lobby to improve the experience of the growing number of travelers, particularly tourists visiting Sri Lanka. The planned renovation aims to address congestion and create a more welcoming environment for passengers.
As part of the upgrade, additional ATM machines will be installed and strategically relocated to reduce crowding. The Arrival Lobby itself will be expanded to provide a more spacious and comfortable atmosphere for travelers.
A centralized travel information counter will also be introduced to better assist tourists, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance and support. These improvements are being carried out by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) in response to the rising influx of visitors.
Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema, Chairman of AASL, emphasized the recent surge in tourism, noting that daily arrivals in January 2025 averaged 8,150, marking a 23% increase from the previous year.
The current layout of the Arrival Lobby has led to congestion, particularly due to the limited number of ATMs and inadequate space. Following an inspection by Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, a decision was made to revamp and expand the Arrival Lobby to accommodate the increasing number of passengers.
The renovation is expected to improve passenger flow and serve as an interim solution until the completion of Terminal 2 in March 2028.
In addition to the Arrival Lobby enhancements, progress is being made on the broader expansion of BIA. The Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation has confirmed that three companies have submitted bids for an international tender to advance Phase II of the airport’s expansion.
This phase, under contract number 105/T/2024, includes extensive construction work under Package ‘A1.’ The project scope covers the completion of the Main Terminal Building, construction of Pier No. 2 and Pier No. 3, development of an elevated roadway, and the installation of essential infrastructure, including power supply, sewage disposal, and water systems.
The deadline for bid submissions is set for December, with evaluations expected to conclude within three months. The selected contractor will oversee the expansion, which is designed to accommodate six million passengers annually.
However, given that last year’s passenger volume reached 7.2 million and projections for 2025 estimate 8.5 million travelers, the expansion is crucial for meeting increasing demand.
To support the expansion efforts, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the Terminal 2 development through a concessionary loan of Rs. 170 billion. Once completed, BIA’s overall capacity will increase to 16 million passengers annually, significantly reducing congestion.
The construction timeline for the new phase is set at 30 months, targeting completion by 2027. Although the project initially commenced in December 2020 with an estimated budget of Rs. 145 billion, Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022 caused significant delays, with only 6% of Phase II completed by that time.
The current tender process follows Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) guidelines, allowing eligible international bidders to participate. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for November 12, with the final bid submission deadline set for December 23.
Since its inception in 2007, BIA’s expansion has faced multiple challenges, including economic setbacks and design modifications. However, the latest phase of development aims to modernize Sri Lanka’s primary international airport and enhance its capacity to accommodate the growing demands of regional air travel.
