Katunayake airport records sharp increase in travellers this year

The Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), Athula Galketiya, remarked that the arrival of foreign tourists has risen owing to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic initiatives and the peaceful environment fostered within the country.

Consequently, he said Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake has seen a notable increase in air passenger usage.

The AASL Chairman reported that from January 1st to March 19th, 2024, the number of air passengers who utilized BIA services amounted to 850,000.

Mr. Galketiya noted that approximately 10 million passengers are anticipated to use the airport by the end of this year.

He highlighted that the total number of passengers using the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake in 2022 was 5 million, with a projected increase to 8 million in 2023.