📈 Mattala Airport Targeted as Tourism Gateway for 2026

Sri Lanka is implementing a joint marketing and operational strategy to reposition Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as a dedicated tourism hub, moving beyond its current seasonal charter status. • Record Growth: MRIA recorded its highest-ever traffic in 2025, handling 140,614 passengers and 703 international flights, driven by improved safety standards and wildlife risk mitigation. • Operational Pivot: The government is prioritizing operational viability over immediate privatization. Plans include branding MRIA as a "tourism airport" to serve key zones in the South and East. • Strategic Role: Positioned as the primary alternative to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), efforts are underway to redirect flight diversions from Trivandrum to Mattala by improving carrier awareness of its safety track record. • Aviation & Connectivity: Authorities are engaging airlines for route development, with a potential role for SriLankan Airlines and the extension of the highway network to Batticaloa to enhance regional access. • Diversification: Future plans involve multi-sector development, including cargo, maintenance (MRO), and aviation training to ensure commercial sustainability. Note: Based on data through February 2026; detailed technical and financial assessments for service expansion are ongoing.