Colombo (CMB) check-in recommended 5 hours JAN-APR 2017

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought this might have already been mentioned elsewhere on AFF but worth reiterating. Received this today from Sri Lankan:

[FONT=&amp]Early Check In during Airport Facility Development

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]During the airport facility development taking place from the 06[SUP]th[/SUP] of January to 06[SUP]th[/SUP] April 2017,[/FONT][FONT=&amp]SriLankan is happy to announce that check-in counters will open 5 hours prior to departure at Bandaranaike International Airport to ensure hassle free check-in.

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]We urge our members to check-in early and avoid long queues and congestion.

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]As an alternative, we suggest to check in online at www. srilankan. com, via the mobile application or automated kiosk at departure lobby and thereafter proceed to the baggage drop area.[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Check in counters will close 90 minutes prior to flight departure.

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Warm Regards

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]FlySmiLes Member Services Team[/FONT]

Not sure what time check-in opens for other airlines at CMB but maybe worthwhile confirming and getting there early.

 

[RB]

The driver we used when in Sri Lanka posted this on Facebook a while ago. I read a few things on the net yesterday and the runway improvements & it seems to be a spot to avoid if possible. Interesting to read that it probably should have been done in 2001 but had been constantly put off-seems similar to making decisions on SYD congestion

 

[clifford]

I received this notice from Air Asia a few days ago:

AirAsia Travel Advisory for Airport in Colombo

Dear Guest

AirAsia would like to encourage all guests departing from Colombo from 6 January 2017 until 6 April 2017 to arrive at the airport earlier to avoid congestion due to scheduled airport works throughout that duration. Guests are urged to arrive at the airport at least 5 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure and conduct self-check-in via web and mobile for a smoother journey at the airport. Web and mobile check-in services are available 14 days and up to 4 hours prior to departure for all AirAsia flights.

The baggage drop and the check-in counters at the airport close 90 minutes before scheduled time of departure for AirAsia flights. As congestion is expected at the security scanning, baggage clearance and immigration checkpoints during these times, it is advisable to complete baggage drop and proceed to the boarding gate as early as possible.

Guests with group bookings, reduced mobility or special needs must check-in at the counter and should allocate more time to clear all travelling formalities.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Yours sincerely,

AirAsia

I'm not sure if airlines other than SriLankan will change their check-in opening times, which are generally 3 hours before departure. I am arriving into CMB on TK (J class) and departing 5.5 hours later on AK (Y class), so I guess I should have plenty of time.

Does anyone know what work is being done to the terminal that could possibly cause such delays to the check-in / boarding processes?

EDIT: Now I know why...

The airport will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. till April 6. Flights will use the runway only at the night during the renovation. (From: http://www.colombopage.com/archive_17A/Jan03_1483455717CH.php).

 

[moa999]

So presumably all flights have been retimed for a much tighter window

 

[albatross710]

This would be an interesting place to send decision makers. Closing an airport from 8:30am - 4:30pm for delayed works.

Would be good for a few pollies to sit there and ponder of the mess that can be caused by shuffling problems onto the next guy.

 

[k_sheep]

Not really an airport you want to spend more time in then you have to either.

Mind you, I've overnighted there, the rest chairs in the UL Serendiva lounge are perfectly adequate for a good snooze.

 

[theweaselsteve]

Not really an airport you want to spend more time in then you have to either.

Mind you, I've overnighted there, the rest chairs in the UL Serendiva lounge are perfectly adequate for a good snooze.

Good to know. I'll be utilising them on Saturday.

 

[k_sheep]

Good to know. I'll be utilising them on Saturday.

Correction: the rest chairs were in Seredib lounge. We were flying UL J so had access

 

[Moindardt]

Correction: the rest chairs were in Seredib lounge. We were flying UL J so had access

You also have access as an Emerald but I don't think other levels have unless flying UL.

 

[Danger]

You also have access as an Emerald but I don't think other levels have unless flying UL.

Emerald passengers not travelling in J currently only have access to the Serenediva lounge, not the Serendip lounge.

 

[theweaselsteve]

I was travelling in J with MH so had access over the weekend. Not the best lounge in the world but after the chaos of check in, it was very welcome. Food was good, free spa treatment great and the staff were fantastic, even waking me when my flight was due to board. Excellent service all round.

 

[Danger]

I still find the airport a joke.

I passed through there again in the past few days. After going through the initial security checkpoint (that allows to get into the shopping mall, which is before the check-in counters), I then went through the second screening point. This time I set the detector off. But the security guy was busy patting down another passenger so I simply gathered my things from the x-ray machine and went on my way.

 

[theweaselsteve]

Total joke.

There were no trays when going through the X-ray machines so I just kept everything in my pockets both times. Was given a cursory pat down and just asked what was in my pockets. It could have been anything.

In the smoking room there were a party of people buying litre bottles of whisky from the duty free shop, there was a guy there slicing open the bag they came sealed in with what looked like a hunting knife! Proper party going on!