The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is actively progressing toward a major digital transformation that will become visible to all travelers within the next 18 months. Discussions are currently underway with immigration authorities to automate the services provided at the airport.
SITA (Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques), a global leader in aviation IT solutions, is in talks with the Immigration Department in Colombo to enable the future use of biometric scanners in place of immigration officers. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the long queues at immigration counters and ease congestion within the terminal.
Speaking to The Sunday Times Business during a recent media briefing held in Colombo, SITA Aero’s President for Asia Pacific, Sumesh Patel, explained that the discussions are focused on enhancing advanced passenger processing.
Mr. Patel noted that immigration authorities are “eager and ready,” although several matters still need to be resolved before implementation. He added that travelers will begin to notice a marked improvement in both arrival and departure experiences at BIA within the next 18 months.
Currently, advanced self-service kiosks are already available at BIA, allowing SriLankan Airlines passengers to conveniently use this service. At present, there are eight kiosks in operation, with an additional 20 expected to arrive from Malaysia later this month.
Usage of these kiosks has grown significantly, with adoption rising from 12 percent last year to 25 percent this year. However, this facility is currently available only for passengers traveling to destinations that issue visas on arrival.
Global adoption of self-check-in kiosks has been relatively slow due to concerns over visa approvals. Airlines remain cautious about carrying passengers who may not possess valid visas, as they risk penalties if travelers are denied entry upon arrival.
To address this, SITA is promoting the use of Digital Travel Credentials (DTC), a solution that allows passengers to store all their personal details and travel documents digitally on their mobile phones, supported by biometric identification.
The DTC system minimizes physical contact between passengers and airport officers, helping reduce congestion and streamline processing. This technology is still in the pilot stage at most airports, currently being tested in about 12 countries worldwide.
In addition to immigration automation, SITA is enhancing airport management systems by providing real-time operational information across all points of the airport. Self-baggage check-in facilities are also being introduced, allowing passengers to print baggage tags by simply scanning their passports.
