Sri Lanka Enhances Airport Digitalisation: Self-Check-In Expansion at Bandaranaike International Airport Strengthens Travel Experience Ahead of Winter Tourism Surge

Published on November 19, 2025

A major digital enhancement at Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka has been carried forward as SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services expanded its self-check-in facilities for passengers of customer airlines during the upcoming winter travel season. This strategic rollout has been viewed as a significant step in strengthening the country’s broader tourism development initiatives, especially as the island is expected to welcome more than 300,000 tourists in December alone. With the installation of new kiosks across the departure terminal, a total of 28 units are now available to streamline the processing experience for passengers travelling through Colombo. The move has been positioned to support operational efficiency while elevating the overall airport journey for both domestic and international travellers.

Since the introduction of this technology in 2023, a consistently rising preference for digital airport solutions has been observed among travellers. A notable portion of SriLankan Airlines’ outbound passengers already utilise the kiosks, which has contributed to reducing congestion and improving crowd flow through the airport. This expanded facility, now open to a wider network of carriers operating via Colombo, has been aligned with Sri Lanka’s ongoing commitment to modernising its aviation landscape and bolstering visitor readiness during peak travel periods.

Sri Lanka’s Aviation Sector Strengthens Digital Capacity Ahead of High Season

As Sri Lanka prepares for a substantial winter tourism surge, the readiness of Bandaranaike International Airport has been further reinforced through the enhanced deployment of self-check-in facilities. The initiative has been positioned as an essential component of the country’s broader move toward smarter, more efficient airport environments that can cater to fluctuating traffic volumes. With more than 300,000 travellers expected in December, the timing of the expansion has aligned precisely with operational demands traditionally associated with the year-end holiday period.

The extended rollout by SriLankan Airport and Ground Services represents a response to the evolving expectations of modern passengers, who increasingly favour autonomy, speed and minimal physical interaction during the check-in process. By enabling travelers to independently select seats, print boarding passes and generate luggage tags, the kiosks have provided a streamlined alternative to conventional service counters. This shift has also supported a more even distribution of passengers throughout the terminal, thereby reducing pressure on ground staff and conventional check-in desks.

Growing Uptake of Self-Service Technology Since 2023

Since the original kiosks were introduced in 2023, the system has recorded strong adoption among SriLankan Airlines passengers. At present, around 15 percent of outbound travellers from Colombo already utilise the self-check-in process. This steady increase suggests that passengers have welcomed the convenience of a more autonomous travel experience.

As behaviour patterns continue to shift toward digital-first services, the introduction of 20 additional kiosks in the departure area has been viewed as a timely expansion. These units were installed in response to both rising passenger volumes and the need to ease movement through one of Sri Lanka’s busiest travel periods. The increased number of kiosks is expected to reduce peak-time queues and enhance the airport’s ability to accommodate large inbound and outbound travel flows.

Opening Access to Customer Airlines to Boost International Passenger Experience

A major advancement in this rollout involves the extension of kiosk usage beyond SriLankan Airlines passengers to those flying with customer airlines. As customer airlines represent roughly 60 percent of the total passenger volume handled by SriLankan Airport and Ground Services, this transition has been viewed as a necessary progression toward airport-wide digital efficiency.

By opening the system to international carriers, the facility is expected to transform the overall travel experience at Bandaranaike International Airport. Singapore Airlines has been positioned to become the first foreign carrier to utilise the upgraded self-check-in system for passengers departing Colombo. This adoption is anticipated to encourage additional carriers to transition toward kiosk integration in the coming months, especially as global travel continues to shift toward self-service technologies.

Through this initiative, Sri Lanka’s aviation sector aims to maintain alignment with global airports that prioritise seamless, digitally enabled passenger journeys. The integration with customer airlines has also signalled SriLankan Airlines’ growing role as a regional leader in airport digital solutions.

Digitalisation Strengthens Airport Operations Amid Increasing Passenger Movements

Daily passenger flows at the airport include thousands of inbound, outbound and transit travellers. SriLankan Airport and Ground Services remains the primary interface point for these movements, and the introduction of enhanced digital systems has been positioned to strengthen the team’s ability to manage rising operational pressures.

As international tourism to Sri Lanka continues to rebound and expand, the winter season has been anticipated to generate a notable surge in arrivals. The expanded digital platforms have been prepared to handle this influx without compromising on service quality or passenger comfort. Digitalisation has also been viewed as a method to increase predictability in operations, reduce manual workload and limit service bottlenecks that often arise during peak travel cycles.

The expanded self-check-in initiative demonstrates Sri Lanka’s commitment to adopting modern travel technologies that support visitor readiness, tourism growth and overall airport resilience.

The enhanced self-check-in rollout at Bandaranaike International Airport stands as a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s ongoing aviation modernisation efforts. Through increased digital capacity, extended service availability and readiness for winter travel surges, the initiative has been structured to elevate the passenger experience while ensuring that Colombo’s primary international gateway remains efficient, adaptable and internationally aligned.