Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Saturday, 25 January 2025 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The aviation industry achieved a significant milestone in 2024, with passenger movements across the country’s airports surpassing 8.88 million registering a 17.69% year-on-year (YoY) growth. The growth highlights the central role of the aviation infrastructure in connecting the region and driving travel, trade and tourism.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) Chairman Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema hailed the milestone as a testament to the resilience and potential of the country’s aviation industry.
The highest passenger movement was recorded in 2018 with over 10.88 million.
The increase in passenger traffic was attributed to expanded airline services, improved connectivity and targeting initiatives aimed at boosting tourism. This surge has not only boosted the tourism industry, but has also significantly contributed to the economy, showcasing the importance of the country’s aviation industry as a driver of growth.
“Sri Lanka continues to position itself as a key aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. These milestones showcase the immense potential for future growth and development in the country’s aviation industry. Achieving over eight million passenger movements is a testament to the strength and resilience of Sri Lanka’s aviation sector and serves as a promising indicator of continued progress toward achieving the Government’s tourism targets. We are delighted by the contributions of our valued international airline partners, tourism partners, and all other stakeholders to Sri Lanka’s aviation and tourism landscape,” he said.
Abeywickrema outlined AASL’s commitment to future infrastructure development, announcing plans for reconstruction of Terminal 2 of BIA. “We have already called for tenders for the reconstruction of Terminal 2 of BIA and plan to commence its construction in September 2025, with completion targeted by March 2028,” he added.
It was also noted that the international aircraft movement of all airports increased from 46,639 to 56,289, a jump of 20.69% YoY, while cargo movements of all airports grew from 158,911 tons to 192,498 tons or a 21.13% increase YoY.
The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) led the way as the country’s primary gateway, serving over 30 airlines in 2024, including major international carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air India, Turkish Airlines, IndiGo and so on, in addition to the national carrier SriLankan Airlines. Interestingly, six of the world’s top 10 airlines, as ranked by Skytrax in 2024, operated flights to Sri Lanka, including; Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines, underscoring the country’s prominence on the global aviation map.
It was also observed that several airlines such as Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Air China, and so on increased their frequencies to Sri Lanka. In addition, Thai Airways, Aeroflot, Cathay Pacific Airways and Chongqing Airlines resumed scheduled passenger flights to Sri Lanka, whilst seasonal charter operators such as Enter Air, Edelweiss,
Azur Air, SkyUp and Air Astana brought waves of tourists. New entrants like Jetstar Airways commenced regular flights from Singapore in November 2024.
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) saw renewed activity with Red-Wing Airline resuming flights in October 2024 and Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air and Ukraine’s SkyUp launching seasonal operations in December 2024.
The Jaffna International Airport (JIA) also welcomed a boost, with IndiGo commencing international flights on 1 September 2024, connecting northern Sri Lanka to India.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their exceptional support. AASL remains firmly committed to developing aviation infrastructure to meet the future growth potential of the industry,” AASL Chairman said.
