Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday, 18 August 2025 01:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Severe congestion at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has sparked frustration among passengers, with reports of long queues at check-in counters and immigration over the past few days.
Travellers complained that overcrowding and delays left many on the brink of missing flights, while others described the departure areas as “chaotic” and operating beyond capacity.
Tourists were also caught up in the bottlenecks, with several voicing disappointment over their final impression of Sri Lanka after an otherwise positive holiday experience.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., (AASL) acknowledged the problems, attributing them to a combination of seasonal and unforeseen factors.
“Many of the tourists at the airport were returning after the Kandy Esala Perahera, which traditionally increases passenger volumes during this period,” AASL Head of Airport Management Aruna Rajapaksa told the Daily FT.
Compounding the situation, he said, were the offloaded passengers from Air Canada flights that were grounded due to a strike by flight attendants, which forced more travellers to crowd into BIA. The congestion was further aggravated by a shortage of immigration officers, leading to delays at clearance points.
Against this backdrop and the growing complaints, Rajapaksa confirmed that a meeting has been scheduled today (18) with relevant authorities to review the disruptions and streamline airport operations.
With Sri Lanka targeting record tourist arrivals in 2025, industry observers have warned that persistent bottlenecks at the country’s main international gateway could dent visitor experience and undermine ongoing efforts to position the island as a premier travel destination.
