Sri Lanka’s Airports handle 8.88 Million Passengers in 2024

The country’s primary international gateways  Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Jaffna International Airport (JIA), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) — played a crucial role in the surge of passenger, aircraft, and cargo movements.

Aircraft movements across the nation saw a remarkable rise of 20.69%, reaching 56,289 operations, while cargo transport grew by 21.13%, amounting to 192,498 metric tonnes. This growth highlights the vital role Sri Lanka’s airports are playing in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating trade and tourism.

BIA, the nation’s busiest airport, continues to serve as the primary hub for international airlines, with over 30 global carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, offering flights to Sri Lanka. Notably, six of the world’s top 10 airlines, according to Skytrax, operate flights to the island, underlining the growing appeal of Sri Lanka as a global travel destination.

In 2024, several international airlines increased their flight frequencies to Sri Lanka, including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and IndiGo. Additionally, several previously suspended routes were resumed by major carriers like Thai Airways, Aeroflot, and Cathay Pacific Airways, strengthening the island's air connectivity.

Moreover, seasonal charter airlines resumed operations, bringing in more tourists. In November 2024, Jetstar Asia launched scheduled flights from Singapore, while Red Wings Airlines resumed services to Mattala International Airport in October. The opening of new routes, such as those by IndiGo to Jaffna in September and SkyUp to MRIA in December, further boosted the country’s aviation landscape.

With continued growth in passenger and cargo movements, Sri Lanka’s aviation sector is poised to remain a key player in connecting South Asia with the rest of the world.