COLOMBO, September 10 (ePRESS) – The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will soon get 20 new self-service check-in kiosks to cut long queues and speed up passenger processing, SITA Asia Pacific President Sumesh Patel announced at a press briefing in Colombo.
The kiosks will first be open to SriLankan Airlines passengers. Within two months, eight other airlines will also join. For the first time, some kiosks will connect through Wi-Fi, enabling them to print boarding passes and offer faster services.
“A single network failure can affect flights, cargo and finances. That’s why SITA Mobile Wi-Fi offers airports a portable, secure and reliable solution – whether at the tarmac, cargo areas, or emergency points,” Patel said.
SITA is already working with SriLankan Airlines, FitsAir and Airport Aviation Services at BIA, and has also tested systems at Jaffna International Airport. The company is gradually reducing the number of times passengers must show travel documents – from eight steps earlier to seven now, with more cuts planned.
Patel said baggage losses are falling sharply and boarding times are improving thanks to digital systems. Airlines and airports are also investing heavily in technology. Airlines spent about USD 37 billion on IT last year, while airports invested nearly USD 9 billion. Both figures are expected to grow further as global travel demand continues to rise.
SITA, which supports over 1,000 airports and more than 40 airlines worldwide, will also share insights on Sri Lanka’s aviation digital transformation during the Colombo event.
