SINGAPORE, 17 July 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urges Sri Lanka to develop an aviation blueprint to generate greater economic growth and prosperity through having a stronger aviation industry.

“Aviation connectivity can play a much bigger role in Sri Lanka’s economic development and social advancement. But this will not happen by chance. Government support will be critical to growing a strong airline sector and developing Colombo as an aviation hub. We urge the government and all industry stakeholders to collaborate on developing an aviation blueprint to strengthen the aviation industry’s competitiveness and bring greater prosperity to Sri Lanka. And IATA stands ready to support through our expertise and sharing of industry best practices,” said IATA’s regional vice president for Asia Pacific, Philip Goh.

Photo credit: Bandaranaike International Airport. Passenger traffic is swiftly recovering post-Covid, but Sri Lanka’s aviation needs a blueprint.

Aviation has a role to play 

IATA noted that aviation has a strategic role to play in 15 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Trade and tourism rely on aviation, and this helps to create jobs, alleviate poverty and generate prosperity. In a 2018 IATA study, Sri Lanka’s aviation sector supported 700,000 jobs and contributed USD8 billion to the GDP. This has the potential to increase to over 1 million jobs contributing nearly USD30 billion to the GDP by 2038.

In his keynote remarks at Aviation Day Sri Lanka, organised by IATA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), Goh suggested three areas to consider in the aviation blueprint: facilitating sustainable growth, safety, and sustainability.

Facilitating Sustainable Growth: “Sri Lanka’s aviation blueprint needs to facilitate the industry’s sustainable growth, and having an updated airport masterplan is the first step. I urge the government to engage in a consultative approach involving airlines to ensure that industry input is factored in,” said Goh,

Goh urged Sri Lanka to digitise processes for passenger and cargo facilitation. “Many of the country’s passenger and cargo processes are paper-based. As traffic grows, digitisation will be key to addressing capacity constraints, increasing efficiency and improving the travel experience. IATA’s One ID and One Record initiatives can help support this,” said Goh.

Goh also highlighted the need to keep costs low, particularly jet fuel. Airlines pay more for jet fuel in Sri Lanka than other major airports in Asia. He recognised much has been done in recent months to lower the cost of jet fuel. He encouraged the government to review and consider limiting or capping the amount CEYPETCO can mark up for supplying fuel at the airport.

Safety: “Sri Lanka’s aviation sector needs to grow sustainably safely, and IATA is doing our part to support the country’s efforts. Utilising the International Airlines Training Fund, IATA will support the aviation industry in Sri Lanka by conducting safety-related training in August for CAASL and Sri Lankan Airlines,” said Goh.

Goh encouraged the government to explore how the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) can contribute to greater aviation safety in Sri Lanka.

Sustainability: “I am delighted that net zero carbon from aviation by 2050 is one of the stated policy goals of Sri Lanka’s sustainable aviation environment policy, including the need to ensure the availability of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the country,” said Goh. SAF is expected to abate more than 60% of aviation carbon emissions by 2050.

Goh called on the government to adopt a comprehensive consultation process involving airlines and other aviation stakeholders as the government develops sustainability policies.