Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has unveiled a new luxury bus service aimed at providing a premium travel experience for passengers and airport visitors. This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Highways, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance airport accessibility and convenience.
The luxury bus service, which began operations on August 15, 2024, offers a seamless and comfortable connection between BIA and Colombo City. Operating from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the service links BIA with key locations such as Port City, Colombo Fort Railway Station, Colombo Main Bus Stop, and the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center.
Designed for maximum convenience, the luxury bus service ensures smooth transit for both passengers and the general public traveling to and from the airport during operational hours. This initiative aims to reduce travel stress, improve airport accessibility, and provide an upgraded experience for all users.
Additionally, an exclusive “Airport Terminal Shuttle Service” has been introduced to connect BIA with Colombo Fort Railway Station and the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre (MMC). The service was inaugurated by Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary Ranjith Rubasinghe at BIA and addresses one of the longstanding issues in Sri Lankan aviation history. Previously, foreign tourists lacked direct transport facilities from the airport and had to travel approximately two kilometers to the Avariwatta bus stand with their luggage.
The new luxury bus service is a joint effort between Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, the Transport and Highways Ministry, and a private bus company. The buses will travel along the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway without any intermediate stops. A total of 10 luxury buses have been assigned for this service, with each journey costing Rs. 3,000 per passenger.
This morning at 11:45 AM, the first bus of this new service departed from the BIA arrivals terminal to the Makumbura MMC.
This initiative represents a significant enhancement in transportation infrastructure for both international visitors and local travelers, promising a more comfortable and efficient journey from Bandaranaike International Airport to key destinations in Colombo.