COLOMBO AIRPORT review : 21 June 2008 : by Russell Barr
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
What a dreadful experience! Heathrow/Colombo/Bangkok and return. The outbound wasn't too bad, but
that was probably due to the arrival time of our flight at Colombo, the immigration process took
about 40 minutes, but the return was a nightmare. Our flight arrived at about 1000pm and seemed to
coincide with the arrival of several other flights - six or seven hundred passengers at immigration
and about twelve desks but only four were being used, that's about 150 passengers per desk, after
queing for over an hour the immigration official serving the queue that we were waiting in decided
that he had had enough and cleared off - we were then told to join the back of one of other three
queues. Another hour and a half wait and it was our turn, my wife got processed but when it came to
my turn the official decided that he was thirsty and was going for a drink. I tried telling the
official that we were together but that fell on deaf ears and again we were told to join the back of
one of the two remaining queues. Pandemonium broke loose, airport security then stepped in and began
screaming at passengers - almost immediately two more desks were opened, but that just made matters
worse. Never again. The security people were treating the passengers as though we were animals, I
appreciate that there are big security issues in Sri Lanka but our experience was totally
unacceptable.
COLOMBO AIRPORT review : 17 June 2008 : by Sukhith Jayawickrama
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
The airport is clean and modern, duty free shops are good and the staff polite and helpful. Check-in
takes a lot of time due to the many security checks.
COLOMBO AIRPORT review : 13 June 2008 : by Kurt Müller
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
A new airport clearly built for greater demand than the handful of flights arriving and departing
nowadays. Swift immigration clearance on arrival, but a wait of 30 minutes for the bulk of luggage
to find its way onto the belt (ours was the only plane in port at the time). Lots of banks and at
least one ATM just outside the customs hall. Departure area now has a farewell lobby with shops just
ahead of the check-in area. According to the signage, there should also be a restaurant, but the
door under the sign leads to nowhere. Incredibly ignorant/rude staff at the “Food City” minimart
(interrupt clocking up your purchases half-way through to attend to customers avoiding the queue).
Check-in smooth and quick, as is passport control on exit. All in all, quite pleasant and efficient,
since almost everything is in oversupply.
Colombo Airport by C Young
11 December 2007 Customer Rating : 
I was pleasantly surprised. The airport was clean with every facility available. We arrived 02.30am
on way to Goa and most shops were open. The snacks and drinks were nice and staff polite. The duty
free shops were well stocked and seemed to be cheaper than others we have encountered. Plenty of
comfortable seating to sleep or rest. We were only there a few hours during transit each way but
very good all round airport.
Colombo Airport by John Brockhurst
17 October 2007 Customer Rating :
International flights now use air bridges which is a great improvement on the old bus system. I was
pleasantly surprised to see that luggage touts have been kept at bay.
Colombo Airport by J Brockhurst
4 April 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
There is nothing wrong with Colombo airport. The facilities are modern,
comfortable and as good as most. However, the one drawback is the
luggage touts outside the bus/taxi pick up area. They will snatch your
case as you are about to put it into your bus/taxi and then expect a
tip. Few Brits will have any local change, the touts DO NOT want British
coins and will angle for a fiver which they can change in a bank. If
they do get British coins, they will pester people to change them into
notes. Don't give them anything, they do absolutely nothing for their
services. Be firm, if need be agressive as they are. If you need a
porter, they are available in the terminal itself. Their prices are much
less, without any hassle. Always take single US dollar bills, great for
tipping, buying goods.
Colombo Airport by Ushan Liyanage
27 September 2006
Landed at CMB on-time and quickly disembarked via the airbridges and
straight through to immigration. The Airport is still undergoing
improvements and the baggage collection is now located at a new section
of the airport downstairs. My luggage came out first (Skywards Gold) and
straight through the empty customs area. Pass through the usual shouting
from the FX changers and through to the arrivals section which is crowed
with people, touts, taxi drivers - keep luggage close to you! Departure
process was also painless. Security is tight these days given the
current situation, however, the security staff promptly sent me through
to the departures area without any hassle. Departures area is the usual
chaos, but battled my way through to the Skywards counter. Check-in was
fine and got bumped up to Business Class which was great! After
clearing Immigration, proceeded to the lounge. However, could not get in
as the check-in lady forgot to give me a pass! The lady at the lounge
said I could not come in even though I showed both my Skywards Gold Card
and Boarding Card. Eventually, I went to the Transit Counter, received a
pass and finally got in. The Serendib Lounge was very nice, peaceful and
the food was good. The Airport is building new retail shops and Day-
Rooms are still available for US$25 for 12 hours (rooms are basic, but
clean). Massages are also available from US$5 for stressed travellers!
It is good to see that Colombo International Airport is improving.
Colombo Airport by Mike Scott
30 April 2006
Immigration helpful and friendly - help with forms for visa and checked
I was taking correct bag. Well done. Out of airport in less than 15 mins
- outstanding. Back out of Colombo on 5 April. through security with
little fuss and polite security staff. Check in with SriLankan Airlines
excellent. Again, immigration staff very helpful with forms needed. New
terminal area very good. Lotus Lounge was clean and quiet. Transfer to
plane quick and efficient. I had read this website regarding Colombo
airport and was expecting a horrendous experience. However, compared
with my other experiences of airports in the subcontinent, this was much
better than expected. I look forward to my return.
Colombo Airport by Simon Boxall
8 April 2006
Have been to Sri Lanka three times so far and the airport was always the
real sting in the tail. Arrival is fine. A bus takes you from the steps
of the aircraft to the terminal building. The airport isn't huge so
there are never more than 3 or 4 flights arriving every hour. This means
there are little or no queues at immigration, and baggage comes through
within 20 minutes of flight arriving. Main arrivals area is large and
open, with at least 6 foreign exchange desks. (All with the same
exchange rates) Beware local men in orange jackets, who will happily
help you take your luggage to your transfer bus, then stand there and
demand a ridiculous amount of money for their "service" - just carry
your own bags! Departing is another story. Due to previous terrorist
acts in / near the airport, they are now very stringent. On arrival at
the airport, you will queue outside, as there are metal detectors and
security guards immediately inside the front entrance, to avoid people
smuggling bombs into the terminal building. You could queue for anything
up to 45 minutes. Keep your eye on your bags at all times, as again in
the airport there are more locals just waiting to "help" you with your
bags. While you are being frisked, they may even happily take your bags
to the check in desk for you while you are not looking, so when you turn
around your bags are not there! (I speak from experience) Once you
arrive at the check-in area, every suitcase and hand bag are put on a
large metal table and thoroughly searched by security guards. (Make sure
you have your padlock keys handy) Check in staff are rude and unhelpful,
and annoyingly spread out single / couple travellers when they check
people in, meaning if you are travelling in a large group it is highly
unlikely you will all sit together as there are never more than 1 or 2
seats left together. (This is a nightmare if you have children) Finally
once you have checked in you are free to shop in the single duty free
shop. Time to board and yet again you go through another metal detector
and burly security guard before you get to the gate. The gates are small
rooms, not big enough to cope with all the passengers of an A330 / A340
that Sri Lankan flies. And eventually you can board the aircraft via bus
and air-stairs.
Colombo Airport by Gordon Sadler
26 February 2006
Arrived Colombo on 20th Jan from LHR via DXB. Was through immigration
and waiting for baggage within 20 mins of steeping off plane - baggage
retrieval took a further 20 mins... but 40 mins from stepping off plane
to exiting the terminal is brilliant. Departed Colombo on 10th Feb...
check in a bit of a scrum, but reasonably fast. New departure lounge is
excellent - still being finished but good selection of duty free shops -
and a smoking room. Overall, after experiences at Indian airports, was
very surprised and impressed with Colombo airport.
Colombo Airport by D Nyhuis
14 January 2006
Flew Emirates Business Class to Australia. When we arrived at the
airport, they had not yet opened the check in counter, so when they did
we were the first ones to check in. I am pleased to say that we had a
hassle free check in. We even got our prebooked seats. We also got to
use the new section of the airport, which meant boarding the plane via a
walkway/jetty - no shuttle bus. Even if we had been travelling Economy,
it appears that they have improved their queuing system at the check in
counters. Serendib Lounge was also another pleasant surprise - spacious,
clean, modern and nice food.
Colombo Airport by Wilhelm Stoeckl
21 December 2005
I checked into Austrian/Lauda-Flights using Business-Class CMB-Vienna 3
times in the past 2 years, each time with confirmed pre booked seat-
reservations - yet it was never possible, to get the confirmed seats, as
the ground-staff (either Austrian or SriLankan Airlines) seemed to have
blocked or given away the pre-booked seats for "important passengers",
as the station manager confirmed. It is enough inconvenient, negotiating
such happenings in a row of waiting passengers once, let alone on each
of your flights! Although I was successful in getting my pre-booked or
at least acceptable seats every time, there should be a closer look onto
those strange habits of the ground staff, as similar experiences have
been reported by other passengers frequently.
Colombo Airport by Ryan Chao
13 December 2005
Last month I passed thru CMB during midnight time. The airport has been renovated in the arrival
area, not yet in check-in/baggage claim area which is a bit tatty. I flew with SQ. Buses are used to
transfer to the terminal. I observed the are unused jetway slots. It would be nice to go thru the
jetway. Clearing the immigration was quick. There are many money changer counters and an ATM (kind
of tucked behind those counters.) Before departure, duty free items are available for last minutes shoppers. Local products and
souvenirs are reasonably priced. Waiting area in the boarding lounge is old and not spacious. It can
only accommodate the half empty flight load of passengers. It is functional airport yet it could
use some improvements.
Colombo Airport by G Howells
28 October 2005
Although there is still a lot of building work apparent, our transit was
relatively painless. They were a lot more organised getting us onto the
plane than at Heathrow - they called for passengers with babies and
young children first. A contrast from joining our flight at Heathrow,
where, although they called for parents with young children first, other
passengers totally disregarded this and just pushed forward - as we all
presumably had seats, what was the panic ?
Colombo
Airport by D West
9
September 2005
Checked in at 1030am Business class Sri Lankan Airlines with no problem.
There is still work in progress along the route but there was no real
problem. Sri Lankan business lounge very pleasant with good views of
aircraft (if you like that sort of thing). The departure lounge was OK
but the sooner the piers/jetties are introduced the better. The
organisation of the transfer buses appears rather haphazard. I've been
to worse airports,
Colombo
Airport by Kurt Müller
20
August 2005
The sooner the new terminal extension with air bridges is operational the better.
During busy periods (particulary between 10.30 p.m. and midnight), there seems to be a
shortage of ground handling equipment; we were kept waiting in our aircraft that had
just arrived for over ten minutes (air con switched off) until steps had been put in
place. Likewise, the departure hall is a nightmare during peak traffic, with passengers
for 4 or more wide-bodied aircraft departures having to go through only three scanners
and frisking points. The queues (and other forms of approach) for security checking
entirely take up what is supposed to be the departure hall lobby.
Colombo
Airport by Charles Birch
9
August 2005
Arrival in Colombo has improved with renovation of the building, however departure is
still a disaster. The last three departures there was no air conditioning working at
the check-in counters and by the time you have gone through passport control you are soaked in
sweat. When you get on the bus to travel to the plane you are left standing on the bus with the doors
open for 10 to 15 mins breathing the exhaust from the bus. One of the worst airports that I have to
use.
Colombo
Airport by Claudia Klages
12
July 2005
Having travelled to and from Colombo more than 30 times I still find this to be one
of the worst anywhere. Contrary to the people of Sri Lanka, the staff at Katunayaka
manage to be more most unfriendly anywhere. Prices do not compare with service,
check-in is a nightmare.
Colombo
Airport by Annette Wellings
6
May 2005
I found Colombo airport to be much better than I was anticipating after reading comments made about
it. Yes it's busy and seemingly too small to accommodate the mass of people who pass through-but
the staff are friendly, the toilets adequate and the duty free is interesting-albeit more expensive
than you would expect. It's outside that will drive you nuts! Ensure you book a taxi to take you to
your destination before you arrive at the airport-do not try and get one there: organise it by
e-mail or phone they will happily send you one for a very reasonable price and the hotel taxi driver
will find you pretty quickly. Keep an eye on handbags and luggage outside as it's mayhem and there
are some dodgy looking people outside at all times-better to be safe than sorry!
Colombo
Airport by Jason Tottey
14
November 2004
I found the airport to be extremely disappointing. Passport checks in departures seem to take a
lifetime. Sri Lankan's business lounge is a small cubby hole tucked away at the back of the shops.
Uncomfortable chairs and generally pokey atmosphere. On the plus side 1L bottles of spirits to help
yourself.
Colombo
Airport by Desmond Gunatilaka
17
September 2004
I travel to Sri Lanka frequently. The airport remains in the last century. Arrivals are subjected to
long waits at Immigration (specially if flights from Middle east arrive). Porters try to negotiate
payments before picking up luggage. Departure area begins at door- no room to say goodbye to anyone.
The security people search luggage without gloves - get offended when this is pointed out.
Lounges for First and business class have no attached bathrooms. Service is good and lounge is
clean. No announcements and no monitor in lounge.
Still no jetways but with expansion it is supposed to happen. Rainy days are a mess.
Colombo
Airport by Jane Fletcher
30
January 2004
Bandereika airport in Colombo Sri Lanka may not be the largest
airport in the world but is certainly the friendliest- the
ground staff from Airline staff to shop assistants to porters
immigration staff and toilet attendants - all very efficient
helpful and friendly. The cafeteria in departures is a bit
quaint in its method of ordering and service - but none the
worse for that - its a pity though that the public are not
allowed into the departure area before check in. You have to
be dropped off very quickly at the main door - with hardly any
time to say goodbye to your friends.
Colombo
Airport by J Fazlulla
16
January 2004
I use Colombo a couple of times to go to India and south Asia. I love flying Sri Lankan. But the
airport is a bit of a let down IF you are among the 'big airport is best' . If you are
looking for the best in anything, then CMB airport will be a pleasant surprise, though small in
size, Colombo lends warmth to its passengers through courteous and freindly staff. You will
always find the ground staff smiling everywhere. There can be airports as
grand as DMM or DXB, but if one has travelled through/to these airports, you will find that the
ground staff often do not care. While in Colombo, each and every passenger is treated with courtesy
and respect. I love this place, and with recent news that a brand new terminal will be taking over
BIA, it gives me added reason to use Colombo.
Colombo
Airport by S Brackley
1
January 2004
This has to be the worst stopover airport ever, okay the flight was cheap but next time I fly I will
go via Singapore. This airport should not even be considered by airlines as suitable as a refuel
stop. Two buses to escort 440 passengers into a terminal that has minimal air conditioning,
appalling toilet facilities etc etc, need I go on, only fly into Colombo if staying in Sri Lanka!
Colombo
Airport by Suresh.Johnpillai
11
September 2003
I have been at Colombo international Airport frequently for last some years. I would describe the
situation got bad to worse every time I am going there. Arrivals to the airport
make anybody feel unwelcome to the country. They still use
buses to and from flights to embark or disembark the passengers. The officials at immigration gives a
look as prison guards. The toilets one of the worst in any major airports.
Outside the airport is a mess and people everywhere shouting and hitting others with their
trollies.
Departure lounge is even worse category. Travellers and their accompanies pressed in a small area
without any proper system to handle the mess. The officials are ineffective and sometimes even
aggressive.
I believe the airport should employ more younger people with good knowledge in
English. Immigration
officials should learn how to make feel welcome to the country.
Colombo
Airport by A Dissanayake
4
August 2003
Arrived at Colombo Intl. Airport after three years and was shocked to see the state of the terminal.
The terminal couldn't handle the mass of pax coming in, the immigration officers worked slowly, the
floor dirty and the most terrible thing was that the airconditioning didn't work, which made it
impossible to spent much time there. The airlines really need to pressurize the Airport's Authority
to modernize the arrival area and improve the facilities. The Departure Terminal is much very much better than the Arrival Terminal. Clean, airconditioned
and spacious. There is are some restaurants a bar available. On the upper floor there are Duty Free
Shops, a seating area and the Airline Lounges. The staff is very friendly and helpful at all times.
There are plans to open a new terminal with new lounge facilities and aero bridges. Passengers need
to pay a airport tax which they only let you pay in local currency, so passengers should remind to
keep some cash with them.
Colombo
Airport by Sherman Perera
01
August 2002
I
have been travelling to Sri Lanka for the past 17 years or so, and the
airport is pretty mediocre. To get from Aircraft to terminal you are
taxied across the tarmac on a bus to the main terminal building - there
are no jetways. Inbound is probably the worst feature of the airport. As
soon as you enter the terminal, you are presented with customs /
immigration. The staff do not smile or welcome you and look very hard
going. The shops on offer (inbound) are mediocre ranging from Electrical
shops and liquor shops. I think more to cater for the residents of the
country (very old electrical stock). Toilets need to be upgraded as well
- some still have the squatting systems in place. First impressions are
appalling. Outbound is abetter once you get past the enormous amount of
security/policel, lugguage scanning (some holding AK47 machine guns) you
are presented with the check in counters. Public are able to enter the
terminal after paying a small fee. The entrance to counters are for
passengers only and is separated via a huge glass partition separating
the two areas. Once past the immigration - First level are the gate
lounges and second level are duty free shops and more lounges for
seating. The shops offer a much better selection of goods more of the
latest variety. Lounge offers viewing right across the Tarmac. Couple of
restaurants are on offer. Overall the Passenger is given a much better
treat on departure. This Airport needs some serious injection of cash to
get it up to Western standards - but probably one of the best Airports
in the Sub-continent
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