With consistent growth indicators pointing to a robust recovery in international travel, Sri Lanka’s aviation industry continues its upward trajectory.

A renewed confidence in global connectivity and travel demand is reflected in a 14.08% increase in international passenger movements and a 15.35% rise in international aircraft movements from January to September 2025.

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the country’s main gateway, along with Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and Jaffna International Airport (JIA), collectively welcomed 7,559,699 passengers during this period. Arrivals and departures were nearly evenly split, with 49.15% arrivals and 50.85% departures.

Transit traffic also remained strong, with 680,821 passengers passing through, underscoring Sri Lanka’s strategic role in regional and long-haul connectivity. Of the total arrivals, 1,706,308 were tourists, representing 45.92% of all arrivals, while 54.08% were local passengers—reflecting a healthy balance between domestic engagement and international tourism.

To address current capacity constraints at BIA, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism, has initiated the construction of a temporary marquee as an interim measure.

AASL Chairman Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema said: “In response to increased requests from international airline partners to add flights and upgrade to wide-body aircraft, we are introducing 12 additional check-in counters as a short-term measure for the winter season, operational from November 1, 2025.”
“Handling over 7.5 million passengers by September is a testament to the sector’s resilience and a strong indicator that we are on track to achieve the government’s 2025 tourism targets.”