Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka to expand automated passenger gates at Bandaranayake Airport
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the purchase of four additional automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport, bringing the total to 12. The expansion is expected to extend the facility beyond Sri Lankan citizens to align with the e-passport system rollout.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers granted approval on May 19, 2025, to procure four new automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport, the country's primary aviation hub. The acquisition will increase the total number of such gates to 12, enhancing passenger processing capacity during peak travel periods.
The expansion is part of efforts to modernize airport operations and streamline immigration procedures. Currently, the automated clearance system is available exclusively to Sri Lankan nationals. With the new gates in place, airport authorities plan to extend the facility to align with the government's e-passport issuance programme, which aims to provide digital travel documents to eligible residents.
The move reflects broader initiatives to upgrade airport infrastructure and improve passenger experience. Enhanced automated processing is expected to reduce congestion at immigration checkpoints and accelerate terminal throughput, benefiting both travellers and airport operations.
No details regarding the cost of the gates or timeline for installation were disclosed in the Cabinet approval.