New electronic duty free shopping complex opens at Sri Lanka’s BIA.
Daily FT: A large portion of internal development at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has been successfully completed at present.
With the objective of enhancing the passenger experience at the Arrival Duty-Free area at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), all duty-free electronic shops were relocated to the 2nd floor of the arrival terminal building.
The opening ceremony of the new electronic duty free shopping complex at the premises was held recently with the participation of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva.
The scope of work consisted of the construction of a new electronic mall on the second floor of the new passenger terminal building, the shifting of 31 arrival duty-free shops from the first floor to the second floor, the installation of two escalators and two glass elevators, the construction of a structural steel staircase, the extension of three existing elevators, and the construction of four washroom blocks, etc.
This expansion of passenger facilitation and the shifting of the duty-free shops from the first floor to the second floor result in improving the image of the airport and Sri Lanka in every aspect. AASL spent approximately Rs. 225 million on the relocation, which added a total floor area of 1900 square meters. This relocation will facilitate the passengers’ use of their duty-free allowance for consumer electronics.
“In the past, customers who visited, buy goods from these shops located at the airport had to face great injustices. There will be no chance for such things to happen in the future. If such irregularities occur in future, I have instructed the airport Chairman to cancel their lease agreement immediately,” Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva speaking at the occasion said.
The overall expectation from the airport and aviation services by establishing the “BIA New Arrival Electronic Mall” is to enhance the arrival duty-free shopping experience of passengers and enhance the service quality of the airport.
It has been a dire need for BIA to make such a difference in the arrival of duty-free goods and provide an enhanced customer experience.
Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Chairman Retg. (Major General) G.A. Chandrasiri, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation K.D.S. Ruwanchandra and several higher officials also attended the event.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s target of becoming an emerging business destination in the South Asian region has placed focus on the need for the country’s airport and aviation sectors to be on par with other business destinations. The country’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country have also helped promote Sri Lanka as an emerging business destination. These have also resulted in the government of Sri Lanka focusing on the uplifting and expansion of the country’s airports including the main international airport – Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Along with the expansion of the BIA, local authorities are also engaged in developing regional airports in several parts of the country in order to ensure quick connectivity to promote trade and tourism industries. The steady growth in tourist arrivals to the country and the increase in the number of flights operated by international airlines to the country are indicative of the growing business potential in Sri Lanka’s airport and aviation industries. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore be expanding opportunities in Sri Lanka’s airport and aviation industries.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/24012023/X_7 |