As Jaffna International Airport gains traction with Indian flights and growing cargo potential, Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport continues to struggle with losses and underuse. Can strategic reforms revive this billion-rupee aviation project?
From Empty Runways to Revival? Mattala Airport’s Crossroads as Jaffna Takes Off
Sri Lanka’s aviation sector presents a stark contrast between the underutilized Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and the steadily growing Jaffna International Airport. As the government rolls out new plans to revive MRIA, often dubbed the “World’s Emptiest International Airport” by Forbes, it continues to bleed financially, while Jaffna Airport thrives with rising passenger and cargo traffic.
MRIA, built at a staggering cost of over USD 209 million, was envisioned as a major aviation hub in southern Sri Lanka. Multiple governments have attempted to attract international airlines by offering incentives such as free landing rights, fifth freedom traffic, reduced hangar charges, and subsidized aviation fuel. Yet, long-term commitments have remained elusive.
FlyDubai, the only international airline to operate scheduled flights to Mattala, suspended services in 2018 due to low demand. SriLankan Airlines also experimented with China-bound stopovers via MRIA, but this too was abandoned due to high operational costs and minimal passenger activity.
MRIA’s vision as a technical maintenance hub never materialized. Proposals to lease the airport to a joint Indian-Russian consortium failed, and only two seasonal Russian flights and a single charter service have used the facility this year. Intended to boost southern exports, fewer than 10 cargo flights have departed from MRIA.
The airport’s location, initially seen as an advantage due to its isolation, made it useful during the pandemic. However, the Ministry of Ports and Aviation reports that MRIA racks up annual losses exceeding Rs. 3.2 billion, with no sustainable operations in sight.
In contrast, Jaffna International Airport has seen continuous growth since resuming civilian flights in 2019. Operating 72-seater Bombardier aircraft and flights to Indian cities like Chennai and Tiruchirappalli through budget carrier IndiGo, the airport has recorded a 20% increase in traffic between 2023 and 2024.
Serving as a vital link for tourism, trade, and investment in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Jaffna Airport is also boosting Indian FDI and local employment. Domestic operator DP Aviation now connects Jaffna to Ratmalana, with plans to extend the runway and enhance cargo operations underway.
Jaffna Airport, initially built by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during WWII, has steadily reclaimed its role as a regional gateway. Meanwhile, aviation experts argue that MRIA still holds untapped potential if repositioned strategically.
With proximity to the Hambantota International Port, MRIA could serve cruise tourism and charter flights. It is only a three-hour drive from tourist hotspots like Arugam Bay, which presents opportunities for hotel chains and coastal tourism to benefit.
MRIA also has the largest land footprint among Sri Lankan airports. Experts suggest launching pilot training academies and an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility, especially as regional airlines shift away from Turkey due to geopolitical uncertainties.
Positioning MRIA as a regional MRO hub for Asian low-cost airlines like AirAsia, and marketing it as a logistics base offering passenger and crew transitions, refueling, maintenance, and parking can yield positive results.
However, global perception remains a challenge. Aviation authorities must invest in international marketing to promote MRIA’s modern facilities and improve its branding.
While critics point to its construction in a bird-heavy zone as a fatal flaw, dismantling the airport is not an option. It is a long-term infrastructure investment that demands better planning, branding, and partnerships.
With targeted investments, strategic reforms, and global partnerships, Mattala Airport can still be transformed into a viable and profitable venture.
