An island nation located in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is hugely popular with tourists because of its rich Buddhist culture and stunning beaches, mountains, plains, rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife. In recent years, Sri Lanka’s strategic location and infrastructural investment has also seen it emerge as an aviation hub. Positioned at an intersection of major air routes connecting Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, it offers excellent connectivity and advantages as a transit point.

Here’s what operators need to know about flying to Sri Lanka.

Entry airports

Bandaranaike International Airport

The main international gateway to Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike International Airport is 32.5 kilometers (about 20.19 mi) north of the capital Colombo.

IATA code: CMB
ICAO code: VCBI
Coordinates: 071048.68N 0795307.08E
Elevation: 9M(29.5FT) / 32.7o C
Fuel: AVGAS Jet

For more information about Bandaranaike International Airport, visit the official site here.

Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana

This is the secondary international airport serving the capital Colombo.

IATA code: RML
ICAO code: VCCC
Coordinates: 064923N 0795306E
Elevation: 7.01M(23FT) / 30.2 oC
Fuel: AVGAS Jet

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

This airport serves southeast Sri Lanka, located in the town of Mattala, 18 km from Hambantota

IATA code: HRI
ICAO code: VCRI
Coordinates: 061704.08N 0810726.86E
Elevation: 48M / 31.0 oC
Fuel: AVGAS Jet

Operational information

Slots are required. For VCBI, email SCR to slots@srilankan.com for a response within a few hours; for VCCC, file schedules with the CAASL – mgrastr@caa; for VCRI, email slot coordinator – mriasco.am@airport.lk
All the slots issued are subject to the approval of CAASL and after getting slots from the coordinators, they must be forwarded to the CAASL (mgrastr@caa.lk) for final approval
Special authorization is required
Landing/ overflight permits are required. Landing permit lead time is seven days and permits for overflights/tech stops are three days
Once granted, permits are valid for two days from the date requested. Flight plans must be filed at least 24 hours before intended arrival. Authorities must be notified of any cancellation or delays beyond period of validity
All aircraft parking bays and aerobridges (VCBI, VCRI) are allocated by the tower controller taking into consideration the aircraft type and traffic situation. Only nose-in parking is permitted
Parking is free for the first three hours. After that, a fee of 10% (or part thereof) of applicable landing charge is applied for three hours
VCCC operates from dawn to dusk unless special permission is applied for in advance

Immigration

Leisure and business travelers must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before entering
On arrival, visitors are required to satisfy the Immigration Authorities by proving that they have sufficient funds to cover their stay and the assurance of their departure within the allocated period (tickets and other documents for their onward / return journey)

Health requirements

No PCR is required to enter
Vaccination status is not checked at entry points

For support with your flight operations to Sri Lanka, contact UAS