Airport Job Vacancies in Sri Lanka 2026
Who hires at Bandaranaike International Airport, what each job pays, and how recruitment works
What airport jobs are there in Sri Lanka, and what do they pay?
Most airport jobs in Sri Lanka are at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, with AASL, SriLankan Airlines, government agencies and terminal shops. Pay runs from about LKR 45,000 a month in retail to LKR 50,000 to 110,000 for ground and security staff, and up to LKR 400,000 for licensed aircraft engineers.
How we checked this
- We reviewed the SriLankan Airlines careers portal and recent AASL vacancy notices, including the May 2026 round, in October 2026.
- We compared pay with our existing cabin crew, security, ATC and aircraft engineer salary data.
- All pay figures are SalaryLK editorial estimates. State-owned employers use their own salary scales, which they do not always publish.
Who hires at Bandaranaike International Airport?
| Employer | Main jobs | Where they advertise |
|---|---|---|
| Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) | Airport operations, air traffic control, aviation security, fire and rescue, engineering, admin | airport.lk careers page, newspapers |
| SriLankan Airlines | Ground handling, passenger services, cabin crew, cargo, engineering, IT | careers.srilankan.com talent communities |
| SriLankan Catering | Kitchen, food production, logistics | SriLankan careers portal, srilankancatering.com |
| Government departments | Immigration, customs and other border roles | Government Gazette |
| Private companies | Duty free and retail, food outlets, freight agents, foreign airline offices | Job sites and company pages |
AASL is a state-owned company that also runs other airports, including Mattala and Ratmalana, so some vacancies are posted outside Katunayake. Government border jobs are recruited like any public service post; our government jobs in Sri Lanka guide explains that process.
How much do airport jobs pay?
The table shows our estimated gross monthly pay for each role in 2026, before shift, overtime or flying allowances. Allowances matter more at the airport than in most workplaces, because almost every team works nights and holidays.
| Job | Typical employer | LKR / month |
|---|---|---|
| Ground handling / ramp staff | SriLankan Airlines (Ground Handling) | 50,000 - 90,000 |
| Passenger services / check-in agent | SriLankan Airlines, other airlines | 60,000 - 110,000 |
| Airport security officer | AASL aviation security | 60,000 - 110,000 |
| Cabin crew | SriLankan Airlines | 80,000 - 180,000 + flying allowances |
| Aircraft technician | SriLankan Engineering, AASL | 80,000 - 150,000 |
| Licensed aircraft engineer (B1/B2) | SriLankan Engineering, MROs | 200,000 - 400,000 |
| Air traffic controller | AASL | 120,000 - 300,000 |
| Cargo and logistics staff | Airline cargo, freight agents | 50,000 - 100,000 |
| Retail, duty free and food outlets | Terminal concessionaires | 45,000 - 75,000 |
Role-by-role detail is in our guides to the air hostess salary, airport security officer salary, air traffic controller salary and aeronautical engineer salary. For the bigger picture, see aviation industry salaries.
How does AASL recruit?
AASL publishes vacancies with closing dates on the careers page of airport.lk and in the press. The round we checked in May 2026 covered more than ten positions, from rigger and carpentry technicians to aircraft technician, assistant airport manager, air traffic service instructor, software developer, civil supervisor, trainee statistics and research assistant, and staff nurse. Applications closed on 18 May 2026.
Expect written tests or aptitude tests for many posts, then interviews, medical checks and security clearance, since staff need an airport pass to work airside. Air traffic controller trainees go through a longer selection and training process before licensing. Download the full advert from the official site, because qualifications and age limits change from round to round.
How do SriLankan Airlines and ground handling jobs work?
SriLankan Airlines recruits through talent communities on its careers portal: ground handling, cabin crew, administration, IT, engineering, pilots, cargo and catering. You register your interest in a community and apply when an intake opens. Ground handling and passenger services intakes are the most common entry points for school leavers with A/L results and good English.
Cabin crew recruitment is a separate, more selective process with height, fitness and grooming standards. Our step-by-step guide on how to become cabin crew in Sri Lanka covers it, and the SriLankan Airlines salary page covers pay across the airline.
Our take: which airport job we would apply for
If you have A/L results and good English but no technical training, we would apply to ground handling or passenger services first. The pay is modest, but you get airport experience, a security-cleared record and a view of every other department, which helps when internal vacancies open.
If you are willing to train, aircraft maintenance is the stronger long-term bet. Licensed engineers sit at the top of the airport pay table and are in demand with Gulf carriers and maintenance companies. Whatever you choose, apply only through official portals. Nobody needs to be paid to get you an airport job.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find airport job vacancies in Sri Lanka?
Airport job vacancies in Sri Lanka are advertised by each employer, not centrally. Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) posts its vacancies on the careers page of airport.lk and in newspapers. SriLankan Airlines recruits through its careers portal at careers.srilankan.com, grouped into talent communities such as ground handling, cabin crew, engineering and cargo. Shops and outlets advertise on general job sites.
Who is the main employer at Katunayake airport?
Two employers dominate Bandaranaike International Airport. Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), a state-owned company, runs the airport, air traffic control and aviation security. SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, handles ground handling, passenger services, cargo and aircraft maintenance, and runs SriLankan Catering. Government departments such as immigration and customs also have large teams there.
What is the salary of airport jobs in Sri Lanka?
Our estimates range from about LKR 45,000 to 75,000 a month for retail and food outlet staff, LKR 50,000 to 110,000 for ground handling, passenger services and security, and LKR 120,000 to 400,000 for air traffic controllers and licensed aircraft engineers. These are SalaryLK editorial estimates. Shift, overtime and flying allowances can add substantially to the base.
What qualifications do I need for an airport job?
It depends on the role. Ground handling, security and passenger services usually ask for good O/L and A/L results, English ability and age limits stated in the advert. Cabin crew have height, fitness and language requirements. Aircraft technicians need an aircraft maintenance course, and air traffic controllers are selected by AASL and trained to licence standards after a competitive process.
How does AASL recruit staff?
AASL advertises vacancies with closing dates on the careers page of airport.lk and in newspapers. In May 2026, for example, it advertised more than ten positions including aircraft technician, assistant airport manager, air traffic service instructor, software developer and staff nurse. Short-listed applicants are usually tested and interviewed, and airport roles also need security clearance.
How do I get a ground handling job at Katunayake airport?
Ground handling at Bandaranaike International Airport is done by SriLankan Airlines. Register with the ground handling talent community on careers.srilankan.com and watch for intakes. Adverts typically ask for A/L qualifications, good English, physical fitness and willingness to work rotating shifts. Some ramp roles also need a driving licence for airside vehicles after training.
Are airport jobs in Sri Lanka shift work?
Almost always. The airport operates around the clock, so security, ground handling, passenger services, air traffic control and engineering teams work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and public holidays. Shift and overtime allowances are part of the pay, which is why take-home pay for the same post can differ noticeably from month to month.
Do I need to pay an agent to get an airport job?
No. AASL and SriLankan Airlines recruit directly through their own adverts and portals. Be suspicious of anyone who asks for money to secure an airport job or claims to have inside contacts. Check that the vacancy appears on the official website before you send documents or pay any fee.
Which airport job pays the most in Sri Lanka?
Among airport-based roles, licensed aircraft engineers and experienced air traffic controllers earn the most, with our estimates reaching about LKR 300,000 to 400,000 a month. Pilots earn more but are airline flight crew rather than airport staff. Licensed engineers also have strong demand in the Gulf, which pushes local pay up.
Sources
- Careers - Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka)
- SriLankan Careers - SriLankan Airlines
- Careers - SriLankan Catering
- AASL vacancies, May 2026 - vacancy listing
Updated Reviewed by SalaryLK Editorial TeamHow we research salaries
Related Salary Guides
- Bank Jobs Salary in Sri Lanka 2026
- Top Jobs 2026: The Best Jobs in Sri Lanka Ranked
- BPO Jobs in Sri Lanka 2026: Salaries and Roles
- Caregiver Jobs in Sri Lanka 2026
- Work From Home Jobs in Sri Lanka for Women 2026
- Work from Home Jobs in Sri Lanka 2026
- Audit Season Work in Sri Lanka 2026
- Fintech Jobs in Sri Lanka 2026