SITA sees progress at BIA but calls for more automation to serve growing demand better

Global leader in technology solutions for air transportation industry says advancing digital travel solutions can play a key role in Sri Lanka's tourism-dependent growth economy Reveals global airlines and airports invested $ 46 b in digital transformation in 2024 75% of aviation industry stakeholders plan to adopt biometric-enabled technologies Airports moving to cloud-based, mobile systems and early use of API-driven platforms in Asia Pacific, boosting innovations and enabling digital, scalable passenger services beyond traditional infrastructure At present, over 1 b e-passports being used globally

- BY NISTHAR CASSIM

THE global leader in technology solutions for the air transportation industry, SITA, yesterday commended the progress at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) amidst challenges and stressed for continuous investment in digital transformation to better manage the envisaged uptick in future traffic.

It acknowledged that the Sri Lankan authorities have implemented several recommendations made in a special SITA study on how to improve the passenger experience and operational efficiency. SITA officials whilst welcoming the progress stressed there is room for further improvement and the authorities are working on it.

SITA said BIA is in the process of adding 20 more self-service kiosks augmenting the existing eight at present and a self-bag drop unit. BIA uses CUTE solution comprising desktop, boarding pass printer, bag tag printers and gate readers at 59 check-in counters. SITA added that the BIA is also in the process of enabling global carriers to use the self-service kiosks option in a phased-out manner.