SriLankan Airlines has solidified its role as the single largest tourism promoter in Sri Lanka, according to Richard Nuttall, CEO of the national carrier, speaking at the World Aviation Festival in Singapore.
Following three years of operational profitability and a strategic focus on expanding its fleet and services, the airline is pivotal to the nation’s surging tourism sector. SriLankan however is not growing its capacity in line with industry trends. In January 2025, Sri Lanka recorded a near-record high of 250,000 tourist arrivals, its highest ever for the month, indicating a significant uptick in the country’s tourism industry.
Nuttall highlighted the airline’s critical role in this growth, noting that SriLankan Airlines transports about 40% of all tourists to the island. This contribution is vital, considering tourism is a key economic driver, supporting approximately 10% of the country’s population.
“Tourism is really important and therefore the airline is really important.”
He emphasized the strategic significance of retaining Sri Lankan control over the airline amid discussions of various financing options, including public-private partnerships and potential stock market listings. Flight capacity into Sri Lanka has increased significantly over the past year, with inbound flights rising by approximately 50% in the last 12 months.
Hel noted that flights from Southeast Asia alone have doubled during this period, reflecting a surge in regional demand and broader tourism recovery. Despite the market-wide increase, SriLankan Airlines’ own capacity has remained flat. In such vein SriLankan Airlines has set a clear growth objective to double its size within five years.
Currently, SriLankan Airlines operates a fleet of around 20-25 Airbus aircraft, predominantly A330s. Under Nuttall’s leadership, the airline has set ambitious goals to double its size within five years. This expansion involves increasing flight frequencies and updating the fleet, potentially incorporating newer models such as the A330neo, A350, or Boeing 787 by the late 2030s.
SriLankan is not just crucial for transport but also plays a significant promotional role through its marketing efforts. The airline’s in-flight safety video is among the most viewed globally, serving as a testament to its effective branding and promotional strategies. Sri Lanka’s location positions it as a natural hub not only for tourism but also for regional connectivity.
For example, Colombo offers a time-saving alternative to Gulf hubs for routes such as Nairobi to East or Southeast Asia, shaving up to two hours off travel time.
This geographic advantage supports the airline’s plans to capture new transfer traffic, particularly from India, East Africa and the Indian Ocean region. (TP)
