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List of 8 Domestic & International Airports in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a South Asian island country located in the Indian Ocean. This country has great mythological evidence related to India, also its neighbouring country. Other than this, there are beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, hills, etc., all over this place.

Due to its growing tourism industry, the Government is working on accessibility to bring in more people, boosting its economy, and the main focus is on the airports in Sri Lanka.

List of 8 Airports in Sri Lanka

Name of the Airport & Location Type
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake International and Military Airport
Ratmalana International Airport (RML), Ratmalana International, Training and Military Airport
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), Mattala International Airport
Jaffna International Airport (JAF), Palaly International and Military Airport
Batticaloa International Airport (BTC), Puthunagar International Airport
Anuradhapura Airport (ACJ), Anuradhapura Domestic and Public Airport
Sigiriya Airport (GIU), Dambulla Domestic and Military Airport
Koggala Airport (KCT), Galle Domestic and Military Airport

List of International Airports in Sri Lanka

If you are curious about how many airports there are in Sri Lanka, there are more than 30 airports here. Among these, there are only five international airports scattered all over.

Note: The services and other factors keep changing frequently. So, please verify all information before planning your trip.

1. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake

Bandaranaike International Airport is a significant airport in Sri Lanka, serving the city of Colombo. Launched in 1944, this airport holds significance in WW2 as it was once a part of it. It offers a wide range of international and domestic flights using airlines like AirAsia, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, IndiGo, etc.

  • Address: 5VJM+3P Katunayake, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCBI
  • IATA Code: CMB
  • Category: International and Military Airport
  • Number of Terminals:
    • Terminal 1 is the old international terminal with 12 gates.
    • Terminal 2 is the new international terminal, which is currently under construction and will be operated from 2025. It is expected to have 14 passenger boarding bridges and 8 gates.
    • Terminal 3 is mainly responsible for all the domestic flights of this airport.
    • Terminal 4 is the cargo terminal.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • Medical assistance
    • Pet care
    • ATMs and currency exchange counters
    • Duty-free shops
    • Airport lounges
    • Restaurants and eateries
    • Wheelchair assistance
    • Prayer room

2. Ratmalana International Airport (RML), Ratmalana

Also known as Colombo Airport, it is located approximately 15 km from the capital city Colombo. Launched in 1934, it played a major part in the Second World War. It uses airlines like Air Senok, Millennium Airlines, FitsAir, etc., to offer multiple flights. The airport awaits an expansion with a runway repair and reconfiguration of the aerodrome.

  • Address: New Airport Rd, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCCC
  • IATA Code: RML
  • Category: International, Training and Military Airport
  • Number of Terminals:
    • Terminal 1 handles all the international, domestic, and corporate jet flights moving from this airport. 
    • Terminal 2 mainly deals with the international, and regional operations of this airport.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • Medical assistance
    • Currency exchange counters
    • Airport lounges
    • Restaurants
    • Duty-free shopping
    • ATMs and banks

3. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), Mattala

It is the country's first Greenfield airport and the third international airport operating here. This airport started running in 2013, located about 18 km from the city centre. It uses airlines like Cinnamon Air, Red Wings Airlines, SCAT Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, etc., for offering flights.

  • Address: 74RC+HG5, Mattala, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCRI
  • IATA Code: HRI
  • Category: International Airport
  • Number of Terminals: Only one terminal in this international airport operates all the flights here.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • A medical centre
    • Restaurants and eateries
    • Airport lounge area
    • ATMs, banks and currency exchange options
    • Lifts and wheelchairs for disability assistance
    • Child care

4. Jaffna International Airport (JAF), Palaly

Originally built during WW2, the Royal Air Force operated this airport as a military base. It is conveniently located about 13 km from the city centre, making it easily accessible. The airport offers multiple international and seasonal flights through Alliance Air, Cinnamon Air, FitsAir, etc.

  • Address: Q3W8+3X Vasavilan, Palaly, Jaffna
  • ICAO Code: VCCJ
  • IATA Code: JAF
  • Category: International and Military Airport
  • Number of Terminals: There is only one passenger terminal in this airport that excels in managing all flying operations.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • Restaurants
    • Airport lounges
    • Duty-free shopping
    • Medical assistance
    • ATMs and currency exchange
    • Prayer room
    • Baby care facilities
    • Disability assistance

5. Batticaloa International Airport (BTC), Puthunagar

Launched as a military base during the Sri Lankan Civil War in 1958, this airport was named Sri Lanka Air Force Batticaloa or SLAF Batticaloa. It is only 2 km from the Puthunagar village and was redeveloped in 2019 as an international airport.

  • Address: 570 Trincomalee Highway, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCCB
  • IATA Code: BTC
  • Category: International and Military Airport
  • Number of Terminals: Only one terminal is in charge of managing all the flight operations in this airport.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • A medical centre
    • Airport lounges
    • Food courts and dining options
    • Wheelchair assistance
    • Duty-free shopping

List of Domestic Airports in Sri Lanka

6. Anuradhapura Airport (ACJ), Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura Airport is one of the domestic airports in Sri Lanka, also serving as a military airbase. Located about 4.6 km from the city centre and about 99 m above sea level. The airport uses airlines like Air Senok, FitsAir and Helitours to offer domestic and chartered flights.

  • Address: 8C3H+HH4, A13, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCCA
  • IATA Code: ACJ
  • Category: Domestic and Public Airport
  • Number of Terminals: This airport has only a single operating terminal. It handles both arrivals and departures of all the flights.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • Food courts
    • Medical assistance

7. Sigiriya Airport (GIU), Dambulla

Launched in 1942, this airport is conveniently located about 3.2 km from the city centre. Besides providing domestic flights, this airport acts as a military airbase. Some common airlines to operate from this airport include Air Senok, Millennium Airlines, Cinnamon Air or Sri Lankan Airlines, etc.

  • Address: XP4H+6FG, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCCS
  • IATA Code: GIU
  • Category: Domestic and Military Airport
  • Number of Terminals: There is only one terminal operating all the flights at this airport.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • Airport lounges
    • Duty-free shopping
    • Eateries
    • Airport lounges

8. Koggala Airport (KCT), Galle

Koggala Airport was again built in 1942 to serve as a military base by the Royal Air Force station and was named RAF Koggala. This airport holds significance in WW2 as it was a part of it. It is located about 10 km from Galle. Top airlines like Air Senok, Cinnamon Air, FitsAir, etc., are used to serve flights from this airport.

  • Address: X8VC+R6H, Koggala, Sri Lanka
  • ICAO Code: VCCK
  • IATA Code: KCT
  • Category: Domestic and Military Airport
  • Number of Terminals: Only a single terminal operates in this airport and manages all the flights.
  • Services & Amenities:
    • Medical services
    • ATMs

FAQs about the Airports in Sri Lanka

Which association in Sri Lanka operates the maximum number of airports?

The maximum number of international airports in Sri Lanka are operated by the Airport & Aviation Services Limited (AASL). On the other hand, the maximum number of domestic airports in this country are driven by the Sri Lanka Air Force, especially if it is also a military base.

Which is the most crowded airport in Sri Lanka?

The most crowded airport in Sri Lanka is the Bandaranaike International Airport, situated in Colombo. It has four terminals and is operated by the Airport & Aviation Services Limited (AASL) of Sri Lanka.

Are pets allowed in the airports of Sri Lanka?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in most of the airports of Sri Lanka. You can only bring pets to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, and that too with prior notice.