Air passenger and freight transport have been increased last year.

Passenger traffic, carried by SriLankan Airlines (SLA) increased by 24.5 percent last year. According to the Central Bank annual report 2010, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) handled the highest ever transshipment freight of 26,445 metric tonnes last year recording an increase of 43 percent compared to the previous year.

The total air cargo handled also marked a growth of 20.3 percent corresponding to 2009. The air cargo handling capacity was doubled during the year with the addition of a new export terminal. The current capacity stands at 300,000 metric tonnes of cargo per annum.

Meanwhile, Mihin Lanka marked an operating profit of Rs.416 million last year corresponding to the operating loss of Rs.666 million incurred in 2009.

The bilateral air services with more than 60 countries, the presence of domestic land aerodromes and potential for water aerodromes and recreational aviation facilities can help the country exploit the tourism potential together with the aviation hub, the Central Bank Report said.