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Total 1 airports of VCBI

CMB Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport (IATA: CMB, ICAO:VCBI) is located in the the city of Colombo, Sri lanka. It is the primary international airport serving Colombo and its surrounding metropolitan area.

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IATA Code

CMB

ICAO Code

VCBI

Name

Bandaranaike International Airport

Type

Main Airport

Country / Region

Sri lanka (LK)

City

Colombo

Latitude

7.1807599

Longitude

79.8841019

Time Zone

UTC+05:30

Phone Number

Est. Unit Price

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Bandaranaike International Airport（CMB）Airport Overview

Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka’s principal international gateway, located north of Colombo near Katunayake and connected to the country’s commercial, manufacturing and export centres. Its international-airport role makes it a practical consolidation and transshipment point for shipments moving between Sri Lanka, South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and longer-haul markets, subject to confirmed airline routings. The airport operates in the Sri Lanka time zone, UTC+05:30. Our platform treats it as an international passenger-and-cargo gateway rather than a dedicated freighter airport; therefore, aircraft type, belly capacity, handling acceptance and connection points must be checked for every booking.

Airport name	Bandaranaike International Airport
IATA / ICAO	CMB / VCBI
City / country	Colombo / Sri Lanka
Coordinates	7.1807599, 79.8841019
Local time	UTC+05:30
Address	Colombo, Sri Lanka

Key Highlights

International gatewaySuitable for planned import, export and transit movements serving Colombo and Sri Lankan production areas.

Passenger-belly dependencyMany routings may depend on available belly capacity, aircraft configuration and airline acceptance rather than a guaranteed freighter schedule.

Hub-based connectivityShipments may connect through South Asian, Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian hubs; the actual connection plan must be confirmed before quotation.

Product sensitivityApparel, tea, perishables, electronics, spare parts and general commercial cargo require different packaging, documentation and handling controls.

Compliance-led planningCorrect HS classification, customs documents, dangerous-goods declarations and consignee readiness are essential to avoid storage or connection delays.

Cargo Facilities & Services

Air cargo acceptance and breakdown: International cargo is normally processed through regulated airport cargo-handling channels. Acceptance cut-offs, screening requirements and handover procedures vary by airline and handling agent.
Import and export handling: General cargo, courier-type shipments, consolidated freight and special cargo are subject to separate acceptance conditions. Our service team confirms the applicable handling route before booking.
Temperature-sensitive shipments: Chilled, frozen, pharmaceutical and other time- or temperature-sensitive cargo should be pre-alerted with the required temperature range, packaging method and handling instructions. Cold-chain capability is confirmed case by case.
Dangerous goods: Dangerous-goods acceptance depends on the airline, commodity classification, packing instruction, labels, shipper’s declaration and available trained handling resources. Advance approval is required.
Customs-controlled cargo: Customs release, inspection, storage and delivery arrangements depend on Sri Lankan customs procedures and the shipment’s documentation. Bonded or special storage should never be assumed without written confirmation.

Facility names, warehouse capacity, operating hours, screening equipment and special-cargo certifications can change. Our platform verifies these points with the airline or appointed handler for each shipment.

Routes & Transit Times

Regional movements: South Asian destinations may be served by direct or connecting options, depending on aircraft capacity, airline schedules and cargo acceptance.
Westbound movements: Middle Eastern gateways are commonly considered for onward connections to Europe, North America and Africa; routing and connection protection must be confirmed at booking.
Eastbound movements: Southeast Asian and East Asian gateways may provide onward links to manufacturing and distribution markets, subject to available uplift and transfer arrangements.
Transit-time controls: Cut-off compliance, customs status, weekend and holiday calendars, security screening, transfer minimum connection time, weather and irregular operations can materially affect the final transit plan.

We quote transit as an indicative routing plan, not a guaranteed delivery promise. Final ETD, ETA, connection points, airline and capacity are confirmed only after the carrier accepts the booking.

Hinterland & Key Cargo

Colombo metropolitan area: The airport supports importers, exporters, distributors, trading companies and regional headquarters connected with Colombo and surrounding commercial zones.
Manufacturing and export cargo: Apparel and textiles, samples, production inputs, machinery parts and urgent industrial spares are typical candidates for air freight when production continuity or delivery deadlines are important.
Agricultural and food products: Tea, spices, seafood, fresh produce and other perishables require commodity-specific packing, sanitary documentation, temperature control and rapid handover.
Technology and high-value freight: Electronics, telecom equipment, laboratory items and other high-value goods need secure packaging, accurate valuation and clear consignee collection procedures.

Operations & Compliance

Booking and cut-off: Airline cargo cut-off is not the same as warehouse opening or customs availability. Our team obtains the carrier’s current acceptance deadline and builds time for screening, weighing, document review and physical handover.
Core documents: Commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill instructions, exporter and importer details, HS information and any commodity-specific permits should be consistent before cargo delivery.
Special cargo declarations: Lithium batteries, chemicals, aerosols, dry ice, biological materials, live animals and temperature-controlled goods require advance commodity review and airline approval. Misdeclaration can cause refusal, delay or regulatory exposure.
Customs and delivery: Inspection selection, valuation questions, import permits, duties, storage and consignee readiness may affect release. The consignee or appointed customs broker should be prepared before arrival.

Shipping Tips

Send cargo dimensions, gross weight, package count, commodity description, ready date, destination and any special handling requirement to our service team before requesting a firm option.
For apparel, tea, seafood, pharmaceuticals or food products, provide the exact product condition and any required health, phytosanitary, origin or temperature documentation at the quotation stage.
Use airworthy packaging with internal protection, visible piece marks and a packing list that matches the physical cargo. Keep lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and chemicals clearly identified.
For urgent or capacity-sensitive cargo, our team can compare direct uplift with hub connections, split shipments or alternative nearby gateways, but every alternative remains subject to customs, trucking and airline acceptance checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bandaranaike International Airport handle commercial export cargo?

Yes, international commercial export cargo can generally be arranged through approved airline and cargo-handling channels. Acceptance depends on commodity, packaging, security screening, documents, capacity and the selected airline.

Is a direct flight always available for shipments through Colombo?

No. The most suitable option may be direct or hub-connected, and available capacity can vary by date, aircraft type, season and commodity. Our platform confirms the actual routing before shipment handover.

What information is needed for dangerous goods?

Provide the UN number, proper shipping name, class or division, packing group where applicable, quantity, packaging details, labels and shipper’s declaration requirements. Airline pre-approval is required before delivery.

How should pharmaceutical or chilled cargo be booked?

Share the required temperature range, packaging qualification, total transit sensitivity, dry-ice details if applicable and delivery contact in advance. Cold-chain handling and available storage must be confirmed for the specific movement.

What commonly causes customs or release delays?

Inconsistent invoice and packing-list data, unclear HS classification, missing permits, incomplete consignee information, valuation questions and cargo selected for inspection are common causes. Early document review reduces avoidable delays.

Data Sources & Provenance

Airport identity, location and operational context are referenced against the relevant airport and aviation authorities. Customs and dangerous-goods procedures remain subject to the latest official rules and carrier acceptance conditions.

Airport and aviation administration reference: airport.lk
Sri Lanka civil aviation authority reference: caa.lk
Sri Lanka Customs reference: customs.gov.lk
International air transport standards and industry reference: iata.org
International aviation standards reference: icao.int

The airport codes, coordinates, city, country, address and time zone shown above follow the supplied airport record. No unverified throughput, warehouse-area, runway, airline-frequency, tariff or guaranteed-transit figures are presented. Current schedules, capacity, handling facilities and regulatory requirements must be reconfirmed before dispatch.