Safety among passengers a priority, Airport and Aviation Services releases guidelines for passengers

Security measures have been further strengthened and implemented to ensure safety at the airport, Airport and Aviation Services Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga said today (May 10).

"These security arrangements will by no means affect airline operations," Mr. Ranatunga told a news briefing at the Bandaranaike International Airport. He pointed out that flights have been functioning as per due scehdule despite the wide ranging security measures which have been in place in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.

"At times like these, we cannot ensure the convenience of passengers to its fullest extent. Therefore we request everyone to act patiently," Chairman Ranatunga urged. He reiterated that the aviation authority has been working closely with the security forces who have been on duty around the clock to ensure the safety of passengers.

"We have given the utmost importance to safety. Convenience comes in second," Mr. Ranatunga pointed out conceding that some passengers might have been inconvenience due to this reason.

Further, he explained that although safety and convenience must be given equal attention, instances such as the current situation make things difficult to strike a balance between both aspects. Therefore, he requested everyone including travellers to remain patient during such occassions.

Airport and Aviation Services (Ltd.) also released a list of steps which should be followed in order to ensure the saftey and convenience of passengers

General advice to passengers

• Arrive atleast four hours prior to the time of departure to avoid delays in boarding the flight.
• The airport terminal has been limited only to flight passengers until further notice. Therefore kindly refrain from being accompanied by visitors to the airport.

Passengers who are leaving the country

• Vehicles transporting passengers who are leaving the country must enter via the main entrance of the airport.
• Vehicles travelling from Minuwangoda must reach the main entrance of the airport through the Andiambalama area across the Kovinna road and then from the Averiwatte area.
• Identified tourist vehicles will be directed to the hall outside the departure terminal after conducting security checks. Those vehicles will be able to leave the airport through Gate No 03 and head towards Colombo from Minuwangoda.
• A new mechanism has been set-up for passengers to reach the departure terminal from the main entrance. Accordingly, the bags of the passengers will be subjected to an x-ray scan at the first entrance to the departure terminal.

Passengers who are arriving in the country

• Vehicles which arrive at the airport to pick up passengers must reach the road outside the arrival terminal through the Colombo - Minuwangoda road and then via the special entrance to the departure terminal.
• Vehicles travelling from Minuwangoda to the airport must reach the arrival terminal from the Averiwatte area though the Aadiambalama area and then via the Kovinna road.
• Vehicles will be allowed to enter the arrival terminal area after being subjected to an identification process at the outer hall of the airport.
• Vehicles which arrive to pick-up passengers will be directed to the car park near the arrival terminal. However, these vehicles will be allowed to remain only for three hours.
• Arrangements have been made to inspect vehicles heading towards the arrival terminal during peak hours at the place in which vehicles heading towards the departure terminal are being inspected.
• Those using the airport will be able to park their vehicles in the car park of the airport.
• A free bus service will operate to transport passengers from the arrival terminal to the car park
• Vehicles will not be permitted to stop, and board or drop-off passengers along the Minuwagoda road opposite the airport.