The boom in air traffic in Sri Lanka’s airports notched last year was commended by travel and tourism industry experts who also said in the same vein that capacity at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has to be increased to meet the surge in tourist arrivals. Sri Lanka records around 8,000 foreign visitors to the country a day which is an unprecedented growth compared to last year and the year before. Manager Air Services and Traffic Rights Civil Aviation Authority, Ishara Gunawardana said Sri Lanka is poised to reach the 11.5 million passenger figure notched in 2018 this year which augurs well for the tourism industry which is on a growth trajectory.
Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of three million tourists this year surpassing last year’s 2.1 million arrivals.
Senior Vice President Global Alliances and Partnerships, Dileep Mudadeniya said the growth in aircraft and cargo movements is an indication of the boom in tourism and tourist arrivals in the country.
“Today we are almost reaching the all-time high figures in visitor arrival numbers of 2018, so far the best year for tourism,” Mudadeniya said adding that capacity at BIA must increase with expansion to meet the influx of visitors. The Government introduced the free visa facility to nationals from 39 countries to meet its tourism industry targets this year. The aviation industry’s growth in 2024 across passenger, aircraft and cargo movements underscores the role played by airports in enhancing connectivity, trade and tourism.
The fete in the aviation sector was possible due to the joint efforts of BIA, the Jaffna International and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airports.
Passenger movement in 2024 were 8.88 million, a 17.68% increase from 2023, aircraft 56,289, a 20.69% increase and cargo was 192,498 metric tons, a 21.19% increase compared to 2023.
Aviation industry experts said the growth in air traffic at the airports highlights a robust recovery in aviation, driven by a combination of new routes, airline expansion and a renewed focus on attracting global travellers. BIA, the country’s primary international gateway, facilitated flights from over 30 global airlines which comprised top-tier carriers such as the Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and the Turkish Airlines.
Chairman, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema said notching eight million passenger movements implies that the resilience and potential of the aviation industry. Work on Terminal 2 at the BIA is due to commence in September this year and be completed by March 2028.
(sunday observer)
