BIA Bets on Digital Check-In Surge as Winter Travel Boom Nears

Sri Lanka’s main international gateway is preparing for one of its busiest winter seasons in years, with SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services rolling out an expanded self-check-in system aimed at easing terminal congestion and modernising the passenger experience.

With more than 300,000 tourists expected in December alone, the airline has accelerated its digital push, installing 20 new self-check-in kiosks last month. The upgrade brings the total number of kiosks at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to 28, marking one of the most significant technology-driven service improvements since the pandemic.

A Rapid Shift Toward Self-Service Travel

Since the initial launch of the kiosk system in 2023, passenger adoption has climbed steadily. Today, around 15% of SriLankan Airlines outbound passengers complete their check-in through self-service rather than traditional staffed counters. Airport officials say this shift is already easing pressure on peak-hour queues, offering a faster and more predictable departure process.

The kiosks allow travellers to select seats, print boarding passes and generate baggage tags independently reducing wait times and freeing staff to manage complex travel needs. The airline expects usage to rise steadily as more foreign carriers integrate the system.

Majority of Passengers to Benefit as Foreign Airlines Join In

SriLankan Airlines Airport and Ground Services Head Deepal Pallegangoda said the move is especially significant because customer airlines account for roughly 60% of all passengers handled at BIA.

“We are thrilled to extend the self-check-in service to our customer airlines,” he noted. “Our aim is to deliver a seamless travel experience for the more than 300,000 passengers who pass through each month, especially as we approach the winter peak.”

In a major endorsement of the new system, Singapore Airlines will become the first foreign carrier to offer kiosk check-in for passengers flying out of Colombo. Aviation sources say more airlines are expected to follow, enabling BIA to align with global self-service airport trends seen in hubs like Changi, Dubai and Heathrow.

Impact: Faster Processing, Lower Congestion, Better Tourism Readiness

The expansion arrives at a crucial moment for Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery. With arrivals climbing and transit traffic growing, airport congestion has become a recurring concern. Airport officials say the upgraded digital system will:

• Improve passenger flow during peak hours
• Reduce counter wait times, especially for large transit groups
• Increase terminal handling capacity without new infrastructure
• Boost Sri Lanka’s reputation as a modern, tourist-friendly destination

As thousands of inbound, outbound and transit passengers move through BIA daily, SriLankan Airlines says it is now “fully geared” for the seasonal surge, with digitalisation forming the backbone of its efficiency strategy.

With the winter travel wave approaching and more airlines expected to adopt kiosk check-in, the new system could mark a turning point in how Sri Lanka manages airport capacity—and how travellers experience Colombo’s international gateway.