⚠️ Reference data only, not for flight planning. Full notice →
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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport

Compiled by

Colombo, Western Province (Sri Lanka)
IATA: CMB ICAO: VCBI
Longest Active Runway
10,991 ft
3,350 meters
Field Elevation
30 ft
9 m MSL
Runway Inventory
1 active
Lighted / Paved
Coordinates & Class
7.1808°, 79.8841°
LARGE AIRPORT
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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →
RunwayFacts Published Dataset
tied #380 of 650
In curated primary commercial index
Global Commercial Universe
#615 of 7558
Top 8.1% percentile worldwide
For airports with equal runway length, the worldwide order does not indicate a length difference.
National Standing (Sri Lanka)
#1 of 1 in LK
#2 of 12 in full national registry
vs Large Airport Median
+9.9%
Compared to 10,000 ft baseline
💡 CMB in numbers: 10,991 ft longest runway · tied #380 of 650 published · #615 of 7,558 worldwide (top 8.1%) · #1 in Sri Lanka.
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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) has one runway, 04/22, at 10,991 ft (3,350 m), the same length AASL gives for the 1963 extension. The field sits at 30 ft (9 m) above sea level.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments
Single Runway 04/22: 10,991 ft (3,350 m) long and 148 ft wide, asphalt, per the published dataset.
Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities
AASL's aviation history records that international flights moved to Katunayake in 1959. From 1963 the former RAF runway was extended from 1,840 m to 3,350 m with Government of Canada assistance; in 1968 a larger terminal building, apron and taxiway were built.
Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role
AASL manages Bandaranaike International (BIA) alongside Colombo Airport Ratmalana, Mattala Rajapaksa International (MRIA, opened 2013) and Batticaloa; CMB is the only Sri Lankan airport in the RunwayFacts published dataset.

CMB vs national peers (RunwayFacts data)

  • CMB is the only published airport in Sri Lanka; its 10,991 ft runway is 164 ft below the median longest runway of all 650 published airports (11,155 ft).
  • 317 of the 650 published airports have two or more active runways; CMB has 1.
  • Nearest published airport (any country): Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), 193 NM away, longest runway 11,148 ft.
  • Within the 650 published airports, CMB ranks tied #380 by runway length and #558 by elevation.

Sourced history & facilities

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Sri Lanka National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards
Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Longest runway ≥10,500 ft
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Elevation & National Context

Lowland Aerodrome (<2,000 ft)

CMB lies at 9 m (30 ft), #558 of 650 published airports by elevation and 13.7 percentile among 7,558 worldwide.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

No published neighbour with a paved runway of 5,000 ft or more within 100 NM of CMB. Nearest published airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), 193 NM, 11,148 ft (157 ft longer than CMB); 1 within 250 NM.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

Primary Runway: 10,991 ft (3,350 m)

CMB runway: 04/22 10,991 × 148 ft asphalt (asp). +9.9% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator Length (ft / m) Width (ft / m) Surface Material Lighting Status
04/22 10,991 ft (3350 m / 3.350 km) 148 ft (45m) Asphalt (ASP) ✅ Lighted ✅ Active

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →