List of Airports in Sri Lanka
As of 2024, there are 23 airports throughout the country of Sri Lanka according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Sri Lanka are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Sri Lanka
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ampara Airport | ADP | Ampara | Small |
| 2 | Amparai Airport | GOY | Gal Oya | Small |
| 3 | Anuradhapura Airport | ACJ | Anuradhapura | Small |
| 4 | Bandaranayake International Airport | CMB | Colombo | Large |
| 5 | Batticaloa Airport | BTC | Batticaloa | Small |
| 6 | Bentota River Airport | BJT | Bentota River | Small |
| 7 | Castlereigh Reservoir Airport | NUF | Hatton | Small |
| 8 | China Bay Airport | TRR | Trincomalee | Small |
| 9 | Dambulu Oya Tank Airport | DBU | Dambula | Small |
| 10 | Hingurakgoda Airport | HIM | Hingurakgoda | Small |
| 11 | Kankesanturai Airport | JAF | Jaffna | Small |
| 12 | Katukurunda Slaf Base Airport | KTY | Katukurunda | Small |
| 13 | Kelaniya River Airport | KEZ | Kelaniya | Small |
| 14 | Koggala Airport | KCT | Koggala | Small |
| 15 | Kondavattavan Tank Airport | AFK | Ampara | Small |
| 16 | Mahaweli Airport | KDY | Mahaweli | Small |
| 17 | Mawella Lagoon Airport | DIW | Dickwella | Small |
| 18 | Minneriya Airport | MNH | Minneriya | Small |
| 19 | Polgolla Reservoir Airport | KDZ | Katugastota | Small |
| 20 | Ratmalana Airport | RML | Colombo | Small |
| 21 | Sigiriya Slaf Base Airport | GIU | Sigiriya | Small |
| 22 | Vic. Resevour Kandy Airport | KDW | Kandy | Small |
| 23 | Weerawila Airport | WRZ | Weerawila | Small |
Major Airports in Sri Lanka
1. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Airport Code: CMB
Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC +5:30)
Address: Katunayake, Sri Lanka
Nearby Cities:
- Colombo – 19 miles
- Negombo – 6 miles
- Kandy – 66 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- SriLankan Airlines
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) handles over 10 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in Sri Lanka.
Airport Location and History
Located in Katunayake, approximately 19 miles from Colombo, Bandaranaike International Airport is the primary international gateway to Sri Lanka. The airport was initially established as a military airfield during World War II and was later converted for civilian use in 1967. The airport is named after the former Sri Lankan Prime Minister, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, and has grown significantly over the decades to become a major regional hub in South Asia.
The airport was expanded and modernized in the 1990s and 2000s, with significant improvements to its terminals, passenger services, and runway facilities. It is the base for SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, and serves numerous international airlines with direct connections to destinations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The airport has also developed into a key transit point for passengers traveling to other parts of the Indian Ocean region.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Bandaranaike International Airport has two runways:
- Runway 04/22: 3,500 meters (11,483 feet)
- Runway 14/32: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet)
The longer runway (04/22) is capable of handling wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. The airport features a modern terminal building with facilities like duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, and currency exchange. Ground transportation includes taxis, buses, and car rentals, offering convenient access to Colombo and surrounding areas. The airport is well-equipped to handle large volumes of passengers and is continuously undergoing expansion to accommodate increasing air traffic.
2. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI)
Airport Code: HRI
Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC +5:30)
Address: Mattala, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Nearby Cities:
- Hambantota – 12 miles
- Galle – 45 miles
- Colombo – 125 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- SriLankan Airlines
- Flydubai
- Air India
- Mihin Lanka (defunct)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport handles approximately 100,000 to 200,000 passengers annually, though its traffic has been lower than initially expected due to the airport’s remote location.
Airport Location and History
Located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) opened in 2013, named after Sri Lanka’s former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa. The airport was built with the vision of creating a new economic hub for the region, connecting Sri Lanka with the Indian Ocean and increasing tourism and trade. However, its remote location and limited flight offerings have resulted in lower-than-expected passenger traffic.
Despite this, the airport represents a significant investment in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, with hopes for future growth in regional tourism and business. The airport has the potential to serve as a secondary gateway to Sri Lanka, easing congestion at Bandaranaike International Airport and contributing to the development of the southern region of the island.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 10/28: 3,500 meters (11,483 feet)
This runway is capable of handling wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330. The terminal building includes check-in counters, duty-free shopping, food outlets, and other passenger services. While passenger numbers have been low, the airport is well-equipped to handle increased traffic in the future. Ground transportation options include taxis and buses, which connect the airport to Hambantota and other major towns in the south.
3. Jaffna International Airport (JAF)
Airport Code: JAF
Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC +5:30)
Address: Palaly, Jaffna District, Sri Lanka
Nearby Cities:
- Jaffna – 10 miles
- Kilinochchi – 19 miles
- Vavuniya – 40 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- SriLankan Airlines
- Mihin Lanka (defunct)
- Cinnamon Air
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Jaffna International Airport handles around 50,000 to 100,000 passengers annually, with a focus on domestic flights.
Airport Location and History
Located in the northern region of Sri Lanka, Jaffna International Airport is situated near the city of Jaffna and has historically served as a military base. Following the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War, the airport was refurbished and re-opened for commercial operations in 2013, with the aim of improving connectivity to the northern provinces and promoting tourism.
Jaffna is known for its rich cultural heritage and is a popular destination for both domestic travelers and international tourists. The airport’s reopening has facilitated the growth of air travel in the region and helped to revive tourism in the north of Sri Lanka, which had been impacted by the decades of conflict. While the airport primarily serves domestic flights, there are plans to expand its capacity and eventually accommodate international traffic.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Jaffna International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 04/22: 2,400 meters (7,874 feet)
The airport’s runway is capable of accommodating narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but it cannot handle wide-body jets. The terminal is small, offering basic services such as check-in counters and baggage claim, with minimal shopping and dining options. Ground transportation is available to Jaffna city and nearby towns.
4. Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Airport Code: RML
Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC +5:30)
Address: Ratmalana, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nearby Cities:
- Colombo – 10 miles
- Mount Lavinia – 2 miles
- Moratuwa – 5 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- SriLankan Airlines
- Cinnamon Air
- Helitours (operates flights to domestic destinations)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Ratmalana Airport primarily serves around 100,000 to 150,000 passengers annually, mostly for domestic flights.
Airport Location and History
Located in Ratmalana, just south of Colombo, this airport is Sri Lanka’s oldest commercial airport. It was established in 1938 and was the country’s primary international airport before the opening of Bandaranaike International Airport. Over time, Ratmalana has been downgraded to a regional and domestic airport, primarily serving flights to regional destinations within Sri Lanka and the surrounding islands.
The airport plays a significant role in connecting Colombo with domestic tourism centers and is a base for SriLankan Airlines’ domestic operations, including scenic flights and charter services. It is also home to the Sri Lanka Air Force’s aviation wing. Ratmalana’s location, close to Colombo, makes it a convenient option for passengers traveling within Sri Lanka.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Ratmalana Airport has one runway:
- Runway 04/22: 2,290 meters (7,510 feet)
The runway is capable of handling narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 and regional jets, but not wide-body aircraft. The terminal is smaller compared to the larger international airports, offering basic services such as ticketing, baggage handling, and small food outlets. There are taxi and bus services to Colombo, and the airport is also connected to the city by public transport.
5. Colombo Dockyard Seaplane Base (Not a traditional airport, but a significant air connection point)
Airport Code: Not applicable (Seaplane Base)
Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC +5:30)
Address: Colombo Dockyard, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nearby Cities:
- Colombo – 2 miles
- Mount Lavinia – 5 miles
- Moratuwa – 7 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Cinnamon Air
- SriLankan Airlines (charter flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Due to its smaller scale, the seaplane base handles a significantly lower number of passengers than traditional airports, with estimates of around 10,000 to 15,000 passengers annually.
Airport Location and History
Located on the waterfront in Colombo, the Colombo Dockyard Seaplane Base serves as an alternative entry point to Sri Lanka, offering scenic flights and short regional connections by seaplane. This base is used for both tourism purposes and specialized services, including transportation to resorts in the Maldives and the surrounding islands. While not an airport in the traditional sense, the base represents an important aspect of Sri Lanka’s tourism infrastructure, offering a unique way for visitors to explore the country’s coastal and inland areas by air.
Facilities and Infrastructure
The seaplane base does not have a runway but instead operates with seaplanes that land and take off from the water. Passengers embark from the dock, and the seaplane fleet includes small, short-haul aircraft capable of carrying up to 12 passengers at a time. The terminal facilities are limited, with check-in counters, basic passenger amenities, and a waiting area. Ground transportation connects the base to Colombo city and other nearby locations.
