Bandaranaike International Airport's History
During the middle of 1940's the British constructed this airport. At that time this airport was known as Royal Airport Katunatyaka (RAF). Initially it was an air-force base and during World War II, it served many of the aircrafts involved in this war. Later, this airport's headquarter was set up at Katunayaka. In 1983 the Colombo airport underwent a massive reconstruction wherein a new terminal was opened.Flights Operated From Bandaranaike International Airport
Some of the flights that are operated from Bandaranaike International Airport are Air India, Air Arabia, Air-India Express, Indian Airlines, Blue Panorama, Austrian Airlines, Condor Airlines, Emirates, Edelweiss Air, First Choice Airways, Mihin Lanka, LTU International, Royal Jordanian and Qatar Airways.Bandaranaike International Airport Connecting International Destinations
This international airport connects Sri Lanka with many other major international destinations. Some of places that are connected through this Bandaranaike International Airport are Chennai, Bangalore, Dubai, Amman, Doha, Delhi, Zurich, Kuala Lumpur, Bankok, Amsterdam, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, New York, Melbourne, Tokyo and Singapore.Colombo International Airport Facilities
The facilities offered by Colombo International Airport to its passengers are:Transport Facilities - Airline bus leaves from the airport to the city every 30 minutes for carrying passengers. Taxi services are also available at the airport for the passengers' convenience.
Money and Currency - Six bank counters offer currency exchange facilities to arriving tourists
Communication - Telephone booths at various places in the lounge, and a communication center with direct international calling facility makes communicating from the airport easy.
Luggage - The airport extends the facility of storing checked and sealed baggages for 45 days. This facility enables the foreign tourist to store unwanted luggage while touring inside Sri Lanka.
Shopping - Several duty-free shops selling jewelery, cosmetics, handicrafts, wines, spirits, and tea are laid out inside the airport lobby.
Medical aid and assistance for disabled passengers are other facilities extended to passengers at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport.
Bandaranaike International Airport is 5 ½ hours ahead of GMT.
