Silk services at BIA
The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will provide smooth services for an extra fee for passengers wanting to travel without carrying out airport formalities, a service which at least one hotelier is keen on signing up for its guests.
Baggage collection and delivery on arrival by airport staff would be provided in addition to baggage collec- tion and screening for departing passengers.
Check-in procedures would be attended to by the airport staff while the guest relaxes in the Silk Route lounge that would include immigration and customs procedures; after completing formalities guests will be escorted to transit or boarding area through a dedicated passage.
In this respect, Mr. Jayaratne explained there would be 16 additional aerobridges with eight per pier and five bus gates per pier.
Under Phase II with the runway overlay there would be a rapid exit taxiway at 45 degrees that would allow for a shorter period for landing. Currently only 25 movements per hour could be carried out on the runway and this would increase to 36 movements per hour with the runway overlay work which is to be carried out next year.
Moreover, with the new terminal under Stage II about 45 movements per hour could be carried out allowing a capacity of 5000 passengers on average.
Other developments scheduled to take place would be an improvement on the walk-ways with a garden restaurant and refurbishment of the outlook from the arrivals section leaving the airport at the present terminal.
While a transit hotel would be established as part of the second stage of the airport expansion plans, it is likely to be handled by a top hotel brand. The existing transit hotel at the present terminal is run
The Shangri-La Hotel that opened in Hambantota in June this year was said to have signed up with Airport and Aviation Services Ltd to obtaining this special service for their guests on arrival and departure.
At present, it is learnt that this is the only hotel that would be providing these facilities for its guests at the airport in Sri Lanka. by SriLankan Catering.
The transit hotel named “Serenediva,” Duty Manager at the BIA Prasanna De Mel told the Business Times, commenced operations in 2010 with a capacity of 24 rooms in two categories: standard at US$50 for six hours and Deluxe at $55 for six hours. The rates could change with the double or triple room requests.
He noted that they do get a high demand for the rooms that are operated on six hour blocks with peak hours being night time when it is “almost always full.”
Mr. De Mel observed this was provided more as a service as opposed to being a business venture adding that they also can provide conference facilities as well with a lounge attached to it.
Moreover, as part of commencing operations for stage II the BIA has called for tenders for the construction of the remote apron and taxiways that would take a period of two and a half years.