Thursday Jan 01, 2026
Thursday Jan 01, 2026
Thursday, 1 January 2026 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The country’s aviation sector has recorded a marked recovery and expansion during the first 11 months of 2025, with international passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and tourist arrivals all posting double-digit growth compared to the same period last year, according to a statement issued by the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry.
The Ministry said that from January to November 2025, international passenger movements reached 9.23 million, reflecting a 15.20% increase over the corresponding period in 2024. The growth highlights the continued rebound in air travel demand, driven by improving connectivity, rising tourist inflows, and renewed confidence in Sri Lanka as a travel and business destination.
International aircraft movements also showed a strong upward trend, with 58,454 movements recorded during the period under review. This represents a 14.64% increase compared to the same 11-month period last year, indicating expanded airline operations and higher flight frequencies into and out of the country.
Tourism-linked air arrivals recorded particularly robust growth, with around 2.1 million tourists arriving by air between January and November 2025. This marks a 16.73% increase year-on-year (YoY) and underlines the aviation sector’s critical role in supporting the broader recovery of the tourism industry, which has emerged as a key driver of foreign exchange earnings.
The Ministry attributed the sector’s improved performance to renewed policy focus following the appointment of the new Government, noting that special attention has been directed towards addressing longstanding challenges in the aviation industry.
It said the progress achieved reflects coordinated efforts under the guidance of the responsible Ministers, supported by the commitment of sector management and employees.
According to the Ministry, the combined improvements in passenger volumes, aircraft movements, and tourist arrivals signal the early stages of a renaissance in Sri Lanka’s aviation sector, positioning it to play a stronger role in economic growth, trade facilitation, and tourism expansion in the period ahead.
