Sri Lanka’s aviation industry recorded impressive growth in 2024, achieving significant milestones across passenger, aircraft, and cargo movements. This remarkable performance underscores the vital role the country’s airports play in boosting connectivity, trade, and tourism.

The combined efforts of Sri Lanka’s major airports Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Jaffna International Airport (JIA), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) led to the following achievements in 2024:

• Passenger Movements: 8.88 million (a 17.68% increase from 2023).
• Aircraft Movements: 56,289 (a 20.69% increase).
• Cargo Movements: 192,498 metric tons (a 21.19% increase).

These figures highlight a robust recovery in aviation, driven by a combination of new routes, airline expansions, and a renewed focus on attracting global travelers.

 BIA, the country’s primary international gateway, facilitated flights from more than 30 global airlines, including top-tier carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines. In a significant achievement, six of Skytrax’s World’s Top 10 Airlines for 2024 Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines operated flights to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s aviation industry is poised for sustained growth, with strategic plans underway to support increasing demand. Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), expressed optimism about the sector’s trajectory:“Achieving over 8 million passenger movements reflects the resilience and potential of Sri Lanka’s aviation industry. We are committed to enhancing infrastructure, including the reconstruction of Terminal 2, which is set to begin in September 2025 and be completed by March 2028. Our partnership with global airlines, tourism stakeholders, and industry leaders is pivotal to positioning Sri Lanka as a key aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Several airlines resumed or expanded services in 2024, improving connectivity to key markets:

• Increased Frequencies: Airlines such as Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, and Air China enhanced their schedules.
• Resumed Operations: Thai Airways, Aeroflot, Chongqing Airlines, and Cathay Pacific Airways returned to Colombo.
• Seasonal Charters: Enter Air, Edelweiss, Azur Air, Sky-Up, and Air Astana brought tourists to Sri Lanka during peak seasons.
• New Routes: Jetstar Asia launched flights between Singapore and Colombo in November 2024, while Red Wings Airline resumed services to Mattala in October. Centrum Air and Sky-Up began operations to MRIA in December, further strengthening regional connectivity.
• Jaffna Milestone: IndiGo commenced international flights to Jaffna in September, marking a significant step in enhancing regional accessibility.

The resurgence of Sri Lanka’s aviation sector directly supports the nation’s tourism objectives, contributing to the economy and elevating its status as a top travel destination. With continuous improvements to its aviation infrastructure and strong collaborations with international carriers, Sri Lanka is well on its way to becoming a leading regional hub for travel and trade.