Sri Lanka airport name. International airports in sri lanka

  • 30.09.2019

Direct flights from Moscow to Sri Lanka are operated by the national air carrier of this island state, Srilankan Air. Flights to Sri Lanka with one transfer from Moscow are operated by Srilankan Air, Emirates, Qatar Air, Singapore Air, and Aerosvit.

The average cost of an air ticket from Moscow to Colombo (round trip) is 20-22 thousand rubles.

How long does it take to fly to Sri Lanka from Moscow?

Travel time: 10 hours (1 transfer)
Time difference with Moscow: -1.5 hours

Of the 15 airports in Sri Lanka, only 3 have international status, while the rest are used for domestic flights and air taxi charter flights.

Colombo International Airport (CMB)

Address: Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Road, Katunayake 11450, Negombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Phone: +(94 11) 225-28-61
www.airport.lk

Sri Lanka's main international airport, Bandaranaike, is located near the village of Katunayaka, 35 km north of the capital Colombo and 10 km. from the port city of Negombo. The country's two national air carriers, SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka, are based here. Most flights from Russia and other countries in Europe and Asia arrive here.

Ratmalana International Airport (RML)

Address: Ratmalana International Airport, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Colombo,Western Province, Sri Lanka
Phone: +(94 11) 262-30-30
www.airport.lk

Ratmalana Airport (also known as Colombo City Airport) is located in the immediate suburbs of Colombo. It is used mainly for internal communications with the Sri Lankan capital, and also as a base for the local air force.

You can read more about the two Colombo airports.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI)

Address: Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Airport Rd, Mattala, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Phone: +(94 47) 203-11-00
www.mria.lk

The second most powerful international airport in Sri Lanka was opened in March 2013. It is located near the city of Hambantota and is designed to establish constant domestic and international air links with the south-eastern regions of the island.

International airports of Sri Lanka on the map

Air taxi

An "air taxi" service is available at most airports in Sri Lanka, operated by local carriers SriLankan Airlines and Cinnamon Air. Small four and eight-seater aircraft operate scheduled and charter flights to all corners of the island. The cost of one ticket for such flights is from $200 round trip. The maximum permitted luggage weight is 23 kg.

Details about Sri Lanka air taxi routes and flight schedules can be found here.

Sri Lanka or, as it is often called, the island of Ceylon is a mysterious place. Tourists from all over the world happily come here. The virgin forests of Sri Lanka are rich in a variety of native flora and fauna. Wildlife, spiritual development, schools of Buddhism and Hindu temples all make Sri Lanka different from other islands.

Almost every country for a tourist begins with an airport. The island is quite large, so you need to decide in advance which part you plan to visit in Sri Lanka. Which airport should you choose? This article will be useful both for those traveling for the first time and for those who have visited this country before. Let's talk about the largest airports in Sri Lanka.

Overview of Bandaranaika Airport (Colombo)

Full name: Bandaranaike International Airport, code CMB.

Sri Lanka's main international airport is not in Colombo. It is located approximately 35 km outside via the expressway or 40 km via old roads. Bandaranaika Airport is Sri Lanka's largest and most modern international airport with friendly staff and two separate terminals for domestic and international flights. A new terminal for international flights is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2019.

What you need to know when arriving at Bandaranaika Airport

Note to tourists:

  • The baggage section is almost always full, and there is a risk that you will not be able to check in your luggage.
  • There are millions of mosquitoes outside the terminal, some of which are actively making their way inside, stock up on aerosols against the “bloodsuckers” and patience.
  • Wi-Fi is available at Colombo Airport in designated areas.
  • It is better to purchase SIM cards for your phone outside the airport or be prepared to pay twice as much.
  • It is more profitable to order a taxi at the counter at the airport; later in the article there is information about where exactly it is located.

Bandaranaika Airport Terminals

Colombo Airport, Sri Lanka, currently has two main passenger terminals and another one under construction.

Terminal 1 handles international flights and is considered the largest and oldest at Colombo Airport. This year it marks 35 years since its opening. It has a total of 12 gates (6-14) and the departure and arrival areas are separated.

Terminal 2 is new, currently still under construction and scheduled to open in 2019.

Terminal 3 operates with domestic flights. The terminal building is also divided into arrival and departure areas.

Bandaranaika recreation areas

No matter what class you are flying in, travelers have the option of visiting lounges by paying an hourly rate, or no fee if flying first or business class, or through a loyalty program (such as Priority Pass).

  • Lotus Lounge: located inside Terminal 1, on the ground floor, next to gates 6 and 7. Opening hours: 24 hours. Lounge access is limited to first class travelers only. Includes: free drinks and food, the opportunity to take a shower, watch TV, use a multifunction printer.
  • Araliya Lounge: located inside Terminal 1. Lounge access: Business class travelers can use the lounge area. Includes: free drinks and food, the opportunity to watch TV, use the Internet, read magazines or newspapers.
  • Executive Lounge: located inside Terminal 1. Lounge access: Economy class travelers can use the lounge area for a fee. Cost: 20 USD for 3 hours stay. Includes: free drinks (water, tea, juice), the opportunity to watch TV, use the Internet, read magazines or newspapers.

Also in terminal 1, while waiting for departure, you can visit 2 lounge areas located on the upper level (departures): the Palm Strip lounge and the Serendib lounge.

Additional services at Bandaranaika Airport

  • Currency exchange. A number of banks operate in both the arrival and transit areas, providing currency exchange services. ATMs available.
  • Information desk. Located on the first floor of the terminal building. In addition to the information a traveler needs regarding travel or airport facilities, fax and copying equipment is available.
  • Food. Restaurants operated by Sri Lankan Airlines are located in the Lounge & Transit Lounge and offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, local and international cuisine. The cafes are located in the transit zone.
  • Duty free shops (DUTY FREE). Several retail outlets can be found in the arrivals and departures halls. They sell various types of goods. Perfumes, household goods, souvenirs, clothing, handicrafts, jewelry, tea. But stores with alcoholic beverages are difficult to find, or rather they are not there, so think in advance.
  • Taxi. Convenient and profitable service for ordering a taxi. Prices are fixed. It's easy to find the counter; it's located when you exit the terminal, the first desk is on your right.

  • Baggage. An important nuance to consider when traveling to Sri Lanka. A suitcase that is not fastened with a zipper will not be accepted into the storage room. Travelers visiting Sri Lanka for up to 45 days can avail of luggage storage services at the airport. It will be checked by customs and the airport, then sealed and transferred to the departure terminal, where it will be stored until the next flight. Inquiries about lost baggage should be directed to either the information desk or the airline office.
  • Health care. If necessary, you can use the services of a doctor. A first aid center staffed by qualified nurses is located in the immigration arrivals area.
  • Animals. Traveling with animals to Sri Lanka is subject to prior permission issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Health (DAPH). Everything is strict about this in Sri Lanka!
  • Passengers with reduced mobility. Elevators, wheelchairs and strollers are available.
  • Care for children. The airport has designated areas in the transit area with all facilities for feeding and care.
  • The Colombo Airport (Sri Lanka) board, which will indicate detailed information on your flight, is located immediately at the entrance to the terminal.

Mattala Rajapaksa

The full name of this airport in Sri Lanka: Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport or abbreviated MRIA, code - HRI.

Located in the southeast of the island, 15 kilometers away from the city of Hambantota, it can often be called Hambantota Airport. This Sri Lanka airport is international, but much smaller than Bandaranaika.

This status was awarded to it quite recently by the most popular airlines that use this particular airport: Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, SriLankan Airlines, Sriwijaya Air.

At the moment, only one terminal is operating, the second is under construction. The opening of the new terminal is planned in a few years. It is convenient because due to the small number of tourists, you can avoid long queues during registration and you can always find a free seat during the waiting period. The airport is located in a huge natural park and sometimes you have to wait for elephants, for example, to cross the road.

There is a large and mesmerizing Buddha statue in the lobby, but according to local rules, taking pictures and turning your back to the statue is prohibited.

Free Wi-Fi is available at Mattala Airport.

What is there at Mattala Airport

Travelers have at their disposal:

  • currency exchange (it was noticed that the airport had the most favorable rate for tourists than on the entire coast of Hikkaduwa);
  • 24-hour medical assistance;
  • duty free shops DUTY FREE;
  • a restaurant serving both local and European cuisine;
  • elevators, wheelchairs and strollers are available for passengers with limited mobility;
  • There is childcare available at the airport.

Useful links for travelers

On the official websites of Sri Lanka airports you can find the necessary information about the services they provide. The location is also indicated there, and what can be found on their territory.

The main thing to remember is that there are 2 airports in Sri Lanka. The arrival/departure board can also be seen online on the official website.

Wonderful relaxation on the beaches of a paradise island and tasting the best black tea in the world are already good reasons to buy air tickets and land at the airport. You won’t have to do anything further - just relax and enjoy the ocean, waves and the amazing atmosphere of the island, where it’s not customary to rush.
Russian tourists get to the Ceylon paradise on the wings of Emirates via, Qatar Airways via and Etihad Airways with a transfer to. The journey takes 14 hours plus connections. At the height of the season, charters fly from to.

International airports in Sri Lanka

Despite its very modest size, the island of Ceylon has almost two dozen operating airports on its territory. Of these, two have international status:

  • Colombo Bandaranaike air harbor is located 35 km north of the capital. The national airline SriLankan Airlines and the planes of the local low-cost airline Mihin Lanka are based here.
  • Southeast Sri Lanka is served by Mattala Rajpaksa Airport. Its main feature is environmental technologies for energy generation, water desalination and waste disposal. The country's first green airport today welcomes Flydubai flights from and aircraft from its own capital, Colombo. Its opening in 2013 was great news for the island’s tourism industry, and local tour operators are planning to expand the number of partners in all countries of the world. Schedule details and all information on the website – www.mria.lk.

Capital direction

Sri Lanka's Colombo Airport is named after the country's former prime minister. It was built during the Second World War, but since then the air harbor has been modernized and rebuilt several times.
The city where the airport is located is the capital of Sri Lanka, and a bus running every quarter of an hour from the passenger terminal will help you get there. Travel time will take approximately 30 minutes. The taxi service also operates smoothly and transfers to the capital can be ordered at the prepayment counter in the arrivals area.

Services and directions

The airport schedule of the capital of Sri Lanka includes flights from many world air carriers:

  • Air Arabia flies from , and AirAsia flies from .
  • Air China connects Colombo with Beijing, and Air India connects Chennai and .
  • Cathay Pacific carries passengers from and.
  • Flydubai operates scheduled flights from Dubai and Jet Airways operates from Mumbai.
  • Korean Air and Malaysia Airlines fly to and from Kuala Lumpur
  • Turkish Airlines traditionally delivers everyone to

The official name of Colombo Airport (CMB) is Bandaranaike International Airport. In English it is Bandaranaike International Airport. Today Bandaranaike is the most important airport in Sri Lanka, receiving almost 42 thousand flights a year and almost 5 million passengers. In addition, Colombo Airport handles over 170,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
The current operator of Sri Lanka's main airport is Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Colombo Airport was built during World War II and served as a Royal Air Force base. It is still used for military purposes, but today the airport is used primarily for civil aviation. Colombo Bandaranaike Airport is very important for Sri Lanka. Currently, the airport has 4 gates with 39 check-in counters and 3 cargo terminals. It serves 25 airlines, including well-known airlines such as Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, as well as major Asian airlines Indian Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines and Emirates.
Although Colombo Airport does not fully meet international standards, it has received numerous awards from various airlines and magazines.

Colombo Airport on the map of Sri Lanka

Despite the fact that the airport is classified as Colombo, it is actually located quite far from this city, about 35 km north of the capital of Sri Lanka. The city of Negombo is much closer to Bandaranaike Airport, but in general this airport is located on the territory of the village of Katunayak.

Online scoreboard of Colombo airport

How to get from Bandaranaike Airport to Colombo

To get from Bandaranaike Airport to Colombo city, you can take a taxi or bus. You can also rent a car, but this is not as easy to do in Sri Lanka as in many other countries in the world.
The cost of a taxi from Bandaranaike Airport to the capital of Sri Lanka is about 3,000 rupees. If you want to take the expressway, there is usually an additional charge of 300 rupees. Taxi cars are waiting for passengers at any time of the day, but you can always order a taxi in advance on the Kiwi-Taxi website.

Bus airport - Colombo

If you do not want to spend a lot of money on a trip from Colombo airport to the capital of Sri Lanka, you can take a bus.
Buses from the airport to Colombo run every half hour from 05:30 to 18:30, and a one-way trip costs only 130 rupees. The journey to Colombo Main Bus Station takes approximately 45 minutes. You need to take Express Bus 187. This bus travels from Colombo International Airport on the new expressway, which saves a lot of time.
After 18:30, some private air-conditioned 187 buses may be waiting for tourists near the airport, but they operate at their own discretion. That is, it depends on your luck.
The bus goes to the main bus station in Colombo, where you can change buses and get to your desired location in Sri Lanka. There is also a train station nearby, from where you can travel by train.

Services and facilities at Colombo Airport

Like any international airport, Bandaranaike Airport offers travelers different options to satisfy their hunger or thirst. Sri Lankan Airlines even has its own restaurant in the departure hall with delicious cuisine. It serves national and international cuisine. The Sri Lankan Airlines restaurant offers hot and cold drinks. Of course, there are other restaurants and cafes.
Six banks offer passengers the opportunity to exchange currency at Colombo Airport. All exchange offices can be found in the arrivals hall. So you will not have problems exchanging currency before further traveling around the island. Although the exchange rate at the exchange offices at Colombo Airport is not the most favorable, it is still noticeably more favorable than in most hotels in Sri Lanka.
Bandaranaike Airport in Sri Lanka has a variety of shops to help you pass the time and buy something interesting. For example, here you can buy local souvenirs, handmade fabrics and other goods. Duty-free shops also welcome guests and offer a variety of electronic products, liquor, jewelry and perfumes.
If you decide to go on holiday with children, Colombo Airport will provide special facilities for young guests. Here children can play or watch cartoons.
A medical center can be found in the Colombo Airport arrivals hall. In addition to trained nurses and emergency physicians, the medical center also provides rapid transportation to the hospital in the event of an emergency.

History of Colombo Airport

Finally, I would like to tell you briefly about the history of the main airport of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's civil aviation industry was born in the 1930s with the construction of the Ratmalana airfield. Bandaranaike Airport was built by the British in the mid-1940s primarily as an air force base and supply center for World War II aircraft. With assistance from the Government of Canada, the airport was upgraded to handle 150,000 passengers per year in 1968. In 1981, with the assistance of the Dutch government, the Airport Master Plan was developed. The Japanese government assisted in the further development of the airport with all the necessary facilities to ensure an annual passenger turnover of 3.5 million people. Colombo Airport reached such a passenger turnover in 1988. The Japanese government also helped expand the airport and create a modern terminal building with 8 contact gates and 14 check-in stands. The project was completed in 2005 and gave the airport the capacity to handle 6 million passengers per year.
Following the end of the internal conflict in Sri Lanka, which had hampered economic growth for about 30 years, the Sri Lankan economy began to grow in many aspects in 2009. Profit from foreign tourists in 2010 increased by almost 50 percent compared to 2009. In response to increased demand, a new airport terminal was designed to serve an additional 9 million passengers per year. With this expansion, the airport's capacity was increased to 15 million passengers per year.

You need to look for the state of Sri Lanka in South Asia. This small island country is located on the island of the same name off the southeastern coast of Hindustan and is well known by its second name Ceylon.

Translated from Sanskrit, the name of the country means “Blessed Land”. The most famous airport in Sri Lanka is located in Colombo.

International arrival airports on the map of Sri Lanka

Country airport Ratmalana, can also be safely called Colombo. It is located in the suitable zone of this city. Codes: IATA - RML, ICAO - VCCC. Unlike Bandaranaike, it receives a small number of international flights and is used mainly for domestic services to the capital and the local air force.

The second most important international airport in the country Mattala Rajapaksa located near the town of Hambantota. Opened in 2013. Together with international lines it serves domestic flights. Codes: IATA - HRI, ICAO - VCRI.

Airport Katukurunda Slaf Base- a modern air harbor, located in one of the most beautiful cities in the country - Katukurunda. Codes: IATA - KTY, ICAO - EPGI.

IN list of airports countries also included:

  • two airports in the city of Ampara - Ampara(ADP, VCCA) and Kondavattavan Tank(AFK, KAFK);
  • Castlereigh Reservoir(NUF, SKBO) in Hatton;
  • Mahaweli(KDY, KCOD) in Mahaweli;
  • Bentota River(BJT, SKBO) on Bentota;
  • Polgolla Reservoir(KDZ, TKPK) in Katugastota;
  • airport for military-civil use Hingurakgoda(HIM, VTPH) in the province of Polonnaruwa;
  • Batticaloa(BTC, VCCB) in Batticaloa;
  • Wirawila(WRZ, VCCW) in Uiroila;
  • Kelaniya River(KEZ, FVKZ) in Kelaniya and others.

Infrastructure of international airports

The main flow of foreign tourists is received three international airports Sri Lanka - Bandaranaike, Ratmalana and Mattala Rajapaksa.

Bandaranaike

Well known to tourists under a more common name Colombo airport was built by the British in 1940 and underwent major reconstruction in 1983.

The air harbor has 3 runways, a modern navigation complex and 3 hotels to accommodate tourists.

This is where we accept direct flights from Russia. They are operated by Sri Lanka Airlines. Direct flight time from Moscow is 8.5 hours. You can fly to Bandaranaike Airport not only from Moscow, but also from Samara and other cities of the country.

It is almost impossible to get lost at the airport. It is small in size and has a simple design. Despite this, everything about it is very well thought out and made for the convenience of passengers. An accessible environment for people with disabilities has been created here, as well as there is one at the airport:

  1. bank;
  2. duty free;
  3. Postal office;
  4. currency exchanger;
  5. beauty saloon;
  6. the shops;
  7. department Ambulance and much more.

For passenger check-in 40 registration counters. At the airport you can rent a car, order a transfer, book hotel rooms and book a tourist tour. You can leave your things in the storage room. You can apply for a visa upon arriving in the country at a special counter located inside the terminal.

From the airport you can get to almost anywhere in the world. It serves flights to India, Turkey, Pakistan, Japan, and some other countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. In an Aeroport 4 terminals:

  • serving international flights;
  • serving domestic flights;
  • cargo;
  • under construction.

The airport is the base for the airline Lankan Cargo.

Ratmalana

Ratmalana Airport is the second most important airport in Sri Lanka. This is a dual-use airport. The local air force is based there. The airport is located next to Mount Lavinia (one of the most popular resorts in the country). Despite its importance and international status, Ratmalana mainly serves domestic flights.

The main airlines based in Ratmalana are Expo Aviation And AeroLanka. The airport is located 12 km from Colombo, but is not connected to the city by public transport.

You can only get to Ratmalana Airport by taxi or transfers, which can be booked at hotels.

From Russia Flights fly to Ratmalana from Yekaterinburg, Ufa, and some other cities. The airport serves flights from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. There is a waiting room in the terminal. There are a large number of hotels and guest houses located near the air harbor.

Mattala Rajapaksa

The country's second airport for receiving international flights. The air harbor got its name from its location; it is located 30 km from Hambantota in a small town Mattala. This is a promising area of ​​the country for the development of international tourism.

In an Aeroport 2 terminals: cargo and passenger. The passenger terminal has three waiting rooms: VIP, VIP lounge and business lounge. An airport was built in the middle of the local shroud. In his area you can see not only a peacock or a heron, but even a buffalo or an elephant. The airport, remote from civilization, does not differ in the variety of services offered. You need to order a transfer long before your flight to Sri Lanka.

The closest hotels and guest houses to the airport are located at a distance of 15-17 km. The bank in the terminal is open only during the arrival of foreign flights. Around the clock There are ATMs at the airport; you can find them at the exit of the terminal. Mattala Rajapaksa also has a restaurant and free Wi-Fi.

You can purchase a plane ticket to Sri Lanka using this convenient search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

Tourists flying to Ceylon should be aware that the majority of the population of Sri Lanka are believers. Not every one of them likes being photographed. This means that when you step off the plane, you shouldn’t immediately pick up your camera. Before photographing a person, you must ask him for permission to do so.

Order a transfer better before the flight. If this is not done, then the order can be placed immediately upon arrival at the taxi counter.

Airport currency exchange offices have the highest rates and it is very difficult to get small bills. It is better to exchange some of the money in banks at home.

To ensure that going through customs does not cause any unpleasant situations, you need to know the rules for importing and exporting goods in Sri Lanka:

  1. 1 person can bring into the country without duty 2 bottles of wine or 1.5 liters of strong, small (60 ml) bottle of perfume and eau de toilette (250 ml);
  2. smokers can import into the country without duty 200 pieces of cigarettes or 50 cigars;
  3. to country import prohibited Indian and Pakistani currencies, local money can be imported no more than 5 thousand rupees.

Design visa You can travel to Sri Lanka via the Internet or upon arrival at the airport. Its cost depends on the form of registration. , issued through the official website of the Sri Lankan embassy, ​​will cost the tourist the least expensive.

All information about flight arrivals and departures and availability of seats can be found at electronic scoreboard airports. You can also find it on official websites.

How Bandaranaike Airport works inside, you can see in this video:

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