Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is not just an air gateway, but the most modern and, perhaps, the most serene in Sri Lanka. Located away from the noise of the capital, it offers travellers a unique opportunity to begin their acquaintance with the island's southern coast without the hustle and long queues. Opened in 2013, this airport was designed with ample capacity and today serves as a convenient starting point for exploring the region's national parks and paradise beaches.

The main feature of Mattala Rajapaksa Airport is its calm and uncongested atmosphere. Here, you will not encounter crowds of tourists, allowing you to complete all pre-flight formalities incredibly quickly. The airport boasts modern infrastructure and spacious, clean terminals. Its strategic location is another significant advantage for tourists.

It is located in close proximity to such gems of Sri Lanka as Yala National Park, famous for its leopards, and Udawalawe National Park, home to hundreds of elephants. This makes it an ideal choice for those planning a safari or a holiday at southern resorts like Tangalle and Mirissa, allowing you to save several hours on transfers from Colombo.

For current information regarding flights, services, and airport regulations, please use the following contact details:

• Official Website: www.airport.lk/mria/
• Information Desk Phone: +94 47 203 1000
• Address: Mattala, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
• Email: am.mria@airport.lk (Airport Administration)
• Social Media: The airport has an official page on Facebook where you can follow the latest news.
• Lost & Found: For issues regarding lost or damaged luggage, you should first contact your airline's representative at the airport.
• Passenger Support Contacts: For general inquiries and consultations, you may use the main airport information desk phone number.

There are several ways to get to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), located approximately 18 km from the city of Hambantota. The choice depends on your budget, time, and comfort preferences. Since the airport is somewhat removed from the main tourist centres of Sri Lanka, it is recommended to plan your route in advance.

Taxi and Transfers — the most convenient and fastest method. A trip from the centre of Hambantota will take about 30-40 minutes. A pre-booked transfer through a hotel or online service will cost approximately $20-30 USD, guaranteeing a fixed price. A ride in a local taxi will cost about 3000–4000 LKR. The most colourful but less comfortable option is a tuk-tuk, which will cost around 2000–2500 LKR. It is extremely important to agree on the fare with taxi and tuk-tuk drivers before starting the trip to avoid misunderstandings. Please note that the prices listed are indicative and subject to change.

Car Rental offers maximum freedom of movement, especially if you plan to explore the island's southern coast. Rental costs start from $30-40 USD per day for a compact car (excluding fuel). A car can be booked in advance and picked up directly at the airport. Remember that you will need an International Driving Permit to drive in Sri Lanka. Mattala Airport has parking facilities where you can leave a vehicle for both short and long terms.

Public Transport is the most budget-friendly but also the most time-consuming option. There is no direct rail link to the airport, so the main method is buses. First, you need to get to the bus station in Hambantota by intercity bus, and from there transfer to a local bus or take a tuk-tuk to the airport. The entire trip will be very cheap, within 300–500 LKR ($1-2 USD), but will take significantly more time. Direct express routes to Mattala Airport are rare due to its low traffic, so allow a substantial buffer of time for the journey.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is distinguished by modern and well-thought-out infrastructure, making the stay here comfortable and intuitive for travellers. The airport consists of one large passenger terminal that serves both international and domestic flights. Thanks to this, passengers do not need to worry about moving between different buildings.

The terminal building has a logical and simple layout. The Arrivals Area is located on the ground floor. After disembarking, passengers proceed to the passport control zone, then to the baggage claim hall, and finally pass through customs inspection. In the arrivals hall, you can find tourist information desks, currency exchange points, and taxi offices. The Departures Area is located on the upper floor. Here, check-in counters are situated, after which passengers pass through security and passport control, entering a spacious departure gallery with boarding gates, shops, and cafes.

Since there is only one terminal, navigation is straightforward. There are clear signs everywhere in English and Sinhala. Due to the relatively low passenger flow, all pre-flight and post-flight procedures, including check-in, baggage drop-off, and security screening, proceed very quickly. Usually, this takes no more than 30-40 minutes. Nevertheless, for international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport generally 2-3 hours before departure to avoid any unforeseen situations.

The main advice for navigation is simply to follow the standard signs for "Departures" or "Arrivals" depending on your purpose. Spacious halls and the absence of large crowds make orientation maximally easy even for those here for the first time.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), located near the city of Hambantota, is one of the most modern and, at the same time, one of the most discussed infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. Its history is short but filled with unusual events. The official opening of the airport took place in March 2013. It was built with the ambitious goal of becoming the second international aviation hub in the country, intended to stimulate tourism and economic development in the southern region.

Construction of the airport began in 2009 as part of a large-scale programme to develop the Hambantota district. The project included the construction of a modern terminal capable of serving up to a million passengers a year, and a runway ready to receive the world's largest aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Initially, several international airlines, including the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, launched flights to Mattala, inspiring hope for its rapid prosperity.

However, despite the modern infrastructure, the airport faced unexpectedly low passenger traffic. Its location away from major tourist centres and insufficient demand led to most airlines gradually ceasing flights. Soon, Mattala Rajapaksa Airport acquired the unofficial title of "the world's emptiest international airport", sometimes serving only a few dozen passengers a day. This became a unique, albeit sad, record in the history of global aviation.

The unusual fate of the airport gave rise to several interesting facts. During certain periods, its spacious and unused storage facilities were used for storing paddy rice, and automobile races were even held on the perfectly level runway. Another peculiarity was its location on a bird migration route, which led to incidents with birds and created additional operational difficulties.

Despite all the difficulties, attempts are being made to revive the airport. Various strategies are being considered: turning it into a major cargo hub, an aircraft maintenance centre, or a base for budget airlines. Thus, the history of Mattala Airport continues, and its future remains a subject of interest and hope that it will eventually be able to realise its initial potential.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is a modern and spacious terminal. However, it is critically important for travellers to know that due to the extremely low number of flights, the airport operates in a very limited mode. This means that most advertised services and facilities will likely be unavailable during your visit.

Although zones for cafes, restaurants, and shops, including Duty Free, formally exist within the airport building, one should not count on them being open. Practically all retail outlets and dining establishments may be closed. Passengers are strongly advised to bring food and drinks with them, especially if a long wait for a flight is expected.

The situation is similar with VIP Lounges — their operation is unlikely. Free Wi-Fi may be available within the terminal, but the signal can be unstable. Regarding financial services, currency exchange points and ATMs usually operate only during hours tied to the few arriving and departing flights. At other times, they may be inaccessible.

The airport is designed considering the needs of passengers with reduced mobility and is equipped with ramps and special restrooms. However, receiving prompt assistance from staff may be difficult due to the minimal number of employees. Infrastructure for families with children, such as a mother and child room, and a medical point also exist, but their actual operation is not guaranteed.

There are no hotels directly on the airport premises. The nearest hotels and guesthouses are located in the area of Hambantota city, which can be reached in 20-30 minutes by car. Services for business travellers, such as conference rooms or business centres, are virtually not provided at the airport due to its low operational load.

When planning a trip through Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), it is important to consider that dining options here are very limited. Due to the low passenger flow, the airport cannot boast the variety of restaurants and cafes typical of major international hubs. Nevertheless, basic snacking opportunities exist.

A small cafe or canteen usually operates in the main terminal, oriented towards passengers and staff. Here you can find simple snacks, sandwiches, pastries, and drinks. This is the main and often the only option for those wanting a bite before departure. The assortment typically includes basic dishes that will help satisfy hunger but do not imply gourmet cuisine.

If you want to try something from the local cuisine, pay attention to the drinks — you can almost always order the famous Ceylon tea here. Sometimes the menu may include simple Sri Lankan snacks known as "short eats" — small pastries with vegetable or meat filling. Regarding special dietary requirements, finding vegetarian options is possible, but the choice will be small. Passengers with special needs (vegan, gluten-free, Halal nutrition) are strongly recommended to bring food with them, as its availability at the airport is not guaranteed.

Prices in the local cafe are usually moderate. Operating hours depend directly on the schedule of the few flights, so the establishment may be closed during periods with no departures or arrivals. Given the limited choice, for a full lunch or dinner, it is best to eat beforehand in Hambantota or another nearby city before departing for the airport.

To ensure your journey through Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) goes smoothly, it is important to consider its specifics. The airport in Hambantota is modern and spacious, but its main feature is extremely low utilization. This means no queues, but also practically a complete absence of working services, which is something to prepare for.

Arrival Time and Check-in. Despite the lack of queues, you should still arrive for international flights 2-3 hours before departure. This will give you a buffer of time in case of unforeseen circumstances. To simplify the process as much as possible, complete online check-in if your airline provides such a service. This will allow you to drop off luggage immediately upon arrival (if you have any) and proceed to security screening.

Preparation for Waiting: Food, Water, and Currency. This is the most important tip for HRI. Be prepared for the fact that all cafes, shops, and currency exchange points in the airport will likely be closed. Be sure to bring a sufficient supply of water and food with you. Also, take care of currency exchange in the city beforehand — you will not be able to do this at the airport.

Security Checks and Baggage Rules. Screening and passport control procedures proceed very quickly. Standard international rules apply to hand luggage: liquids in containers over 100 ml are prohibited (all must be packed in one transparent bag), as are sharp objects. When flying out of Sri Lanka, remember the restrictions on the export of tea, gemstones, and antiques exceeding established norms.

Transit Passengers and Customs. If you have a connecting flight, follow the "Transit" signs. Transferring in Mattala usually does not take much time thanks to the empty terminals. Upon arrival on the island, you will have to pass customs control. If you have no goods to declare, you can confidently go through the "Green Channel". Please be mindful of the limits on importing alcohol and tobacco.

Unforeseen Situations and Transport. In case of a flight delay, do not look for an airline representative in the terminal — their counter may be closed. The most reliable method is to contact the airline via their hotline. Save the necessary number in advance. Airport transfers (taxi or shuttle) are also strongly recommended to be booked online in advance, as finding a car on the spot can be problematic.