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Total 1 airports of RML

RML Ratmalana Airport
Ratmalana Airport (IATA: RML, ICAO:VCCC) is located in the the city of Colombo, Sri lanka.

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IATA Code

RML

ICAO Code

VCCC

Name

Ratmalana Airport

Type

Country / Region

Sri lanka (LK)

City

Colombo

Latitude

6.8219900

Longitude

79.8862000

Time Zone

UTC+06:00

Phone Number

Est. Unit Price

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Airport Overview

Ratmalana Airport（RML）is located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, south of the city centre. It is an airport with a strong domestic, regional, business-aviation and general-aviation role rather than the country’s primary international cargo gateway. For international freight planning, our service team treats Ratmalana Airport as an origin or destination requiring prior operational confirmation, especially where commercial cargo acceptance, customs processing, aircraft type and onward connectivity are concerned. The airport’s proximity to Colombo can be useful for selected local shipments, project movements or aviation-related cargo, while larger scheduled international consignments may need to be routed through Sri Lanka’s principal international gateway or another approved regional hub. Cargo acceptance, handling windows and transfer arrangements must be checked against the actual booking and operating carrier.

IATA / ICAO	RML / VCCC
Airport name	Ratmalana Airport
Location	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6.8219900, 79.8862000
Timezone in supplied record	UTC+06:00; local cut-off and document timing should be reconfirmed before booking.

Key Highlights

Colombo-area access: The airport is positioned close to the commercial and industrial concentration around Colombo, which may support local pickup and delivery planning.
Non-primary cargo gateway: It should not be assumed to offer the same scheduled freighter, bonded-transfer or international cargo depth as the country’s main international gateway.
Pre-acceptance is essential: Our team confirms aircraft operation, cargo eligibility, handling arrangements, customs availability and delivery method before issuing a firm routing.
Special cargo requires additional screening: Dangerous goods, temperature-sensitive cargo, live animals, oversized pieces and aircraft parts may require advance written approval.
Routing flexibility matters: Shipments can be assessed against an alternative Colombo gateway or regional hub when direct handling at Ratmalana Airport is unsuitable.

Cargo Facilities & Services

Published operational details such as cargo-terminal capacity, cold-room specifications, dangerous-goods storage, bonded-warehouse availability and guaranteed operating hours should not be assumed for this airport. Our service team verifies the actual handling chain with the operating carrier, airport operator, ground handler and customs authorities.

General cargo acceptance: Subject to the operating carrier’s booking approval, aircraft capability, shipment dimensions and available ground handling.
Customs-controlled handling: Export, import or transit procedures depend on the shipment’s customs status and the facilities authorised for the specific movement.
Temperature-sensitive cargo: Pre-alert, packaging qualification, acceptance timing and confirmed storage arrangements are required; a generic “cold-chain” assumption is not sufficient.
Dangerous goods: Acceptance depends on the carrier’s dangerous-goods capability, trained handling personnel, packaging, labels, declaration and applicable restrictions.
Oversized and special cargo: Piece dimensions, weight, loading method, aircraft door limits and equipment availability must be approved before cargo is tendered.

Routes & Transit Times

Ratmalana Airport may be considered for selected domestic, regional, charter, business-aviation or specialised movements, but available routes depend on the current operating schedule and aircraft assignment.
For international cargo, our team assesses whether the shipment can move directly, through a Colombo-area gateway, or via a regional hub with an approved interline or trucking connection.
Transit time is affected by booking confirmation, customs release, cargo acceptance windows, transfer distance, aircraft availability, weekend or holiday operations and weather conditions.
We do not promise a fixed transit time or specific airline coverage until the carrier confirms the complete routing, handling point and cut-off applicable to the shipment.

For urgent cargo, request a routing comparison that includes direct handling feasibility, alternative airport options, road transfer controls and the latest acceptable delivery time.

Hinterland & Key Cargo

Primary catchment: Colombo and the surrounding Western Province logistics area, subject to road access, consignee location and customs routing.
Likely operational cargo: Aircraft parts, urgent maintenance items, documents, samples, high-value compact freight and time-sensitive business shipments may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Trade-related cargo: Apparel, industrial components, electronics, medical supplies, seafood, perishables and other export commodities may require a more suitable international cargo gateway, controlled-temperature handling or specialised documentation.
Delivery planning: Final-mile arrangements should account for Colombo traffic, consignee receiving hours, security requirements and whether customs release occurs before or after local transport.

Operations & Compliance

Cut-off confirmation: There is no universal cut-off that our team can apply to every movement. Obtain the carrier’s cargo acceptance, document and physical tender deadlines for the confirmed flight.
Documents: Prepare an accurate master or house air waybill as applicable, commercial invoice, packing list, shipper and consignee details, permits and any commodity-specific certificates required by Sri Lankan authorities.
Restricted and special cargo: Dangerous goods, lithium batteries, medicines, food, live animals, perishables, magnets, human remains and oversized cargo must be declared before booking; concealment can result in rejection or regulatory action.
Customs and collection: Importer or exporter registration, valuation, tariff classification, duty or tax treatment and inspection requirements should be confirmed with the appointed customs broker. Do not dispatch a truck until release and collection instructions are clear.

Shipping Tips

Send our service team the commodity, pieces, dimensions, gross weight, stackability, value, ready date, destination and any special handling requirement before asking for a quote.
Request an airport-feasibility check before moving cargo to Ratmalana Airport. We will verify the actual carrier, handling party, customs path, tender location and acceptance deadline.
Use export-grade packaging with clear piece marks and moisture protection appropriate to the cargo. For temperature-sensitive freight, agree the packaging duration and contingency procedure in advance.
Keep a fallback routing through another approved Colombo gateway or regional hub when the shipment is commercially urgent or cannot tolerate uncertain handling availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ratmalana Airport handle international air freight?

International handling must be confirmed for the specific shipment and operating carrier. Our team checks customs status, aircraft operation, ground handling and onward connectivity rather than assuming that an airport location alone confirms international cargo acceptance.

Is Ratmalana Airport the same as Colombo’s main international cargo gateway?

No. Ratmalana Airport has a different operational profile from Sri Lanka’s principal international gateway. For scheduled long-haul cargo, our team compares the required service with the airport and carrier actually able to accept the freight.

Can temperature-controlled or pharmaceutical cargo be shipped through Ratmalana Airport?

Possibly, but only after confirming carrier acceptance, approved packaging, storage or transfer arrangements, customs timing and contingency handling. We do not treat a temperature-sensitive booking as confirmed until these points are documented.

What information is needed for a reliable quotation?

Provide commodity description, HS code where available, pieces, dimensions, weight, value, origin, destination, ready date, delivery terms and any dangerous-goods, battery, live-animal, food or temperature-control requirement.

What is the safest approach for urgent cargo?

Ask our service team to compare Ratmalana Airport with alternative Colombo or regional routings. The decision should consider confirmed uplift, customs availability, road transfer time, handling risk and the consignee’s required delivery time.

Data Sources & Provenance

Airport identifiers, name, location and coordinates shown above are taken from the supplied airport record. Operational assessments are presented as conditional logistics guidance; airline schedules, cargo acceptance, handling capability, customs procedures and cut-off times require confirmation for each shipment.

Airport operator and aviation infrastructure reference: airport.lk
Sri Lanka civil aviation regulatory reference: caa.lk
Sri Lanka customs and clearance reference: customs.gov.lk
International airport and airline industry reference: iata.org
International aviation standards reference: icao.int