Sri Lanka Airports Achieve Remarkable Growth in Passenger, Aircraft, and Cargo Movements in 2024
Colombo, January 26, 2025 ( LankaXpress) – Sri Lanka’s aviation sector witnessed a significant surge in 2024, recording rapid growth across passenger, aircraft, and cargo movements. Airports across the country, including Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Jaffna International Airport (JIA), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), collectively achieved a milestone of over 8.88 million passenger movements—a 17.69% increase compared to 2023.
Aircraft movements totaled 56,289, reflecting a growth rate of 20.69%, while cargo movements reached an impressive 192,498 metric tons, marking a 21.13% increase from the previous year. These achievements underscore the critical role of Sri Lanka’s aviation infrastructure in supporting travel, trade, and commerce within the region.
Key Factors Driving Growth
The healthy rise in passenger traffic is attributed to expanded airline services and strategic initiatives to boost tourism. The enhanced connectivity not only facilitated easier travel for passengers but also contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth, particularly through tourism.
BIA served more than 30 airlines in 2024, including prominent international carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air India, IndiGo, and Turkish Airlines, along with the national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines. Notably, six of Skytrax’s World’s Top 10 Airlines in 2024 operated flights to Sri Lanka, including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines, as per Skytrax rankings.
Increased Frequencies and Resumptions
Several airlines increased their flight frequencies to Sri Lanka in 2024, including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, and Air China. Additionally, airlines such as Thai Airways, Chongqing Airlines, Aeroflot, and Cathay Pacific Airways resumed scheduled passenger operations, further contributing to the growth in air travel.
Economic and Tourism Impact
The growth in passenger movements reflects Sri Lanka’s strategic efforts to position itself as a regional hub for tourism and trade. The steady rise in tourist arrivals has provided a much-needed boost to the nation’s economy, reinforcing the significance of the aviation sector as a cornerstone of economic development.
Sri Lanka’s airports have proven to be vital links for global connectivity, strengthening the country’s position as a key player in international travel and commerce. The continued expansion of airline partnerships and investments in aviation infrastructure are expected to sustain this upward trajectory in the years to come.
