All duty-free electronic shops relocated at BIA

3 January 2023 01:52 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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With the objective of enhancing the passenger experience at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) all duty-free electronic shops were relocated at the second floor of the arrival terminal building, the Ports, Shipping & Aviation Ministry said.

The opening ceremony of the relocation of Arrival Duty Free Shops were headed by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva today.

He said the decision was taken to enhance the passenger experience at the at Airport. The scope of works consisted of construction of new electronic mall at the Second floor of the new passenger Terminal Building, shifting of 31 arrival duty free shops from the first floor to the second floor, installation of two escalators, two glass elevators, construction of structural steel staircase, extension of three existing elevators and construction of four washroom blocks etc.

This expansion of passenger facilitation and 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.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASL) invested Rs. 225 mn for the relocation and total floor area of 1,900 square meters were added. This relocation will facilitate the passengers to utilize their Duty Free Allowance for consumer electronics. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 4

Samantha Tuesday, 03 January 2023 05:48 PM

The Air Port and Aviation Services must immediately oust all political appointments and military pensioners. They must be replaced with experts with international expertise in order to build the Air Port. Otherwise, all you accomplish would be in vain.

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Romesh Tuesday, 03 January 2023 11:01 PM

Did this really require all this fanfare and celebration with plaques being unveiled. Couldn't the change over happen without all this drama. What was the to to cost incurred for the funfare and celebration? Do we really have that much money to waste on merely making politicians and senior officials feel good at the public expense?

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Edie Wednesday, 04 January 2023 12:45 PM

Looks good BUT how are the services ? Have they sent some staff to Singapore, China, Dubai, U.K., and Switzerland for training? We need to implement Progressive approach towards service orientation. As you all know the key Point of entrance door to the country is the airport. This has to give all foreign tourist the best impression about the country. All duty free and airport service staff should get a complete 7 star training on service orientation and documentation to facilitate tax refund to all foreign visitors departing after a short stay in the country. This is practiced in many countries ( Europe, South East Asia, U.K., North America, South Africa,) After the New Duty Free opening we should have a special service counter in the Departure sector.

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Jamis Thursday, 05 January 2023 07:05 AM

The timing is questionable no doubt. But this was long overdue. Those electronic stores are and eye sore. I always felt because of those stores, and frankly, the people who staff them, that it was like a dodgy area in Pettah rather than the arrivals lounge of an international airport. First impressions are critical and it is very important to create the right impressions among visitors to SL. In fact, even the liquor stores need to change the way they approach customers. They seem overly eager to get customers into their stores. Dose not look good. I can understand spending money on changing the facade. But the opening ceremony seems to have been a waste of money.

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