Sri Lanka’s Mattala Airport to be positioned as tourism gateway says Sri Lanka Tourism
The Morning: The future development and positioning of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is being pursued through a joint marketing and operational strategy aimed at attracting more airlines and strengthening its role as a tourism gateway, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam.
Speaking at a media briefing last month, Hewawasam said the absence of scheduled airlines remains the airport’s biggest challenge, although charter operations continue during peak seasons with existing concessions already in place.
He noted that the tourism authority is working together with Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., industry operators and other stakeholders on a collective plan to promote Mattala both operationally and commercially.
According to him, the airport is strategically positioned to serve as the closest and most viable alternative to Bandaranaike International Airport when flight diversions are required, although many airlines have historically opted for Trivandrum due to limited awareness of Mattala’s safety track record.
Hewawasam said recent efforts by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and other aviation bodies have helped strengthen safety standards and resolve earlier operational concerns, enabling the airport to gain wider recognition among carriers as a certified alternative destination.
He added that authorities are now working on branding Mattala specifically as a tourism airport, highlighting its proximity to key travel zones in the south and east. Plans are also underway to engage airlines through dedicated sessions and marketing pitches to encourage route development.
He stressed that increasing operations, including a possible role for the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, would be key to making Mattala commercially viable, noting that detailed technical and financial assessments would be required before expanding services.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s steady growth in the tourism industry has opened many business/investment opportunities in many sectors connected to the industry. Apart from the leisure and hospitality sectors, the airport and aviation sector have also presented opportunities for foreign businesses/investors given the increasing demand due to the growing number of tourist arrivals to the country. Despite the tensions in the Middle East, foreign travelers continue to visit Sri Lanka while the local tourism authorities are also working on further expanding the tourism concepts presented to the foreign tourists. Given the growth and business potential of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and related sectors that is further evident by the interest shown by international leisure and hospitality brands to enter Sri Lanka or expand existing operations, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in the industry. Special focus could also be placed in the business/investment opportunities in the development and expansion of the country’s airport and aviation sector since Sri Lanka is working on being on par with global aviation standards while also meeting the requirements of the increasing demand.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260304/Z_1 |