no logo on Wikidata:  | ||
 | ||
| Bandaranaike International Airport | ||
| height | 26 feet | |
|---|---|---|
| IATA code | CMB | |
| ICAO code | VCBI | |
| Terminals | 3 | |
| Number of passengers | 9.89 million per year • (2006) | |
other value for the number of passengers on Wikidata: 6174215, 7145091, 7311842, 7819847, 8500000, 9805045, 9962670, 978654, 800101, 411311, 6643, 9571, 19047, 18506, 24828, 21363, 19168, 16908, 28374  | ||
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The Colombo airport, Official name Bandaranaike International Airport or BIA, is about 35 km from Colombo by the city Katunayake.
background
The airport was used by the British during World War II Royal Air Force as RAF station Negombo established. After the British withdrew in 1957, the Sri Lankan Air Force took control. The airport was subsequently expanded and has been an international airport since 1967, after the one south of Colombo Ratmalana Airport downgraded to the national airport for several years. Meanwhile there is besides that BIA nor the international airport Mattala Rapsaka International Airport in the south of the country Hambantota, but this airport first has to prove itself on the market. A few international flights are now also starting from Ratmalana Airport.
getting there
Many hotels and tour operators have their guests picked up directly at the airport. This is usually cheaper than taking a taxi, although not faster.
By train
The place Katunayake is on the railway line Colombo – Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam. However, traveling to the airport by train does not play a role in tourism.
By bus
With the taxi
In the street
The main road is the one near the coast A3. For the 35 km to Colombo you have to calculate about 1 hour on the busy road. If you are in a hurry, you should take the toll expressway E03 dodge that of Katunayake to Peliyagoda enough.
Airlines and Destinations
Terminal 1: International flights
| society | Flight destinations (selection) |
|---|---|
| Sri Lankan Airlines | Bangkok, Beijing, Chennai, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt am Main, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, London-Heathrow, Moscow-Domodedovo, Mumbai, Paris-Charles-de Gaulle, Rome-Fiumincino, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore |
| British Airways | London Gatwick, Male |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore |
| Emirates | Dubai, Male, Singapore |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi |
| Qatar Airways | Doha |
| LOT | Warsaw (seasonal, charter) |
| Compass rose | Kiev (seasonal, charter) |
Terminal 3: National flights
| society | Flight destinations (selection) |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Air | Batticaloa, Trincomalee |
| Millennium Airlines | Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Kalutara |
Terminals
Terminal 1 is for all international flights
Terminal 3 is for domestic flights.
Terminal 2 is being planned; there is a separate terminal for freight traffic.
Arrivals
On arrival you inevitably come to a hall with passport control in the direction of the exit. If you have not purchased a visa for US $ 35 online, you can apply for one at a separate counter here, it is relatively quick, US $ 40 is then best to be paid in cash. In any case, you also need one completed international entry card with information such as flight number, passport number and destination, blank cards are available. Bring your own ballpoint pen - other tourists are in a hurry and are reluctant to lend their pens. After passport control, you are channeled through a duty-free area, only then you can get to the six baggage carousels. There are some exchange offices behind the subsequent customs control, and there are also some cash machines (ATM) on one side.
departure
Similar to the arrival area, the departure area is also very clearly laid out. Most of the counters are manned by Sri Lankan Airlines, after all, this company also operates most of the flights.
Change
security
Other regulations apply to the security check than in the area of the EU: So you can easily take water bottles with you when you check in, but if you change to a machine with destination Germany, e.g. in Dubai, the same water bottle has to stay outside.
mobility
activities
Lounges
Planespotting
shop
kitchen
accommodation
health
Practical advice
Web links
- http://www.airport.lk/ - Official website of Bandaranaike International Airport
