Malaysian Airlines is set to become the third carrier to implement self check-in facilities at Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), aiming to streamline the check-in process with minimal labor, according to two airport sources.
State-owned SriLankan Airlines has already introduced 20 additional self check-in counters at BIA through its ground handling unit, Airport and Ground Services. Singapore Airlines has also commenced the use of self check-in at the airport.
“Malaysian Airlines will soon introduce self check-in. The process is expected to be completed within the next couple of months,” an airport official informed FINANCIAL CHRONICLE. “The implementation requires time to ensure the self check-in system is compatible with each airline’s system. Gradually, other airlines will also adopt self checkouts in the future.”
Self check-in counters are designed to enhance the efficiency of the check-in process. This facility allows passengers to bypass queues and independently complete their check-in by selecting seats, printing boarding passes, and generating bag tags in just a few simple steps.
This initiative is part of the ongoing expansion efforts at BIA, which serves as Sri Lanka’s primary gateway. These expansions are aligned with the country’s aspirations for tourism and aviation recovery.
The BIA, with a capacity to handle 6 million passengers a month, facilitated 9.9 million passengers in 2025, aided by additional temporary and self check-in counters. The airport, which managed a peak of 10.7 million passengers in 2018, is now aiming to accommodate 15 million passengers per year following the completion of the current terminal expansion and new apron works by 2027–2028.
(Colombo/February 25/2026)
