Cheap flights from Mattala (HRI)

Sri Lanka's quiet southern airport serving Hambantota and the deep south

Mattala Rajapaksa International is Sri Lanka's second international airport, located near Hambantota in the south of the country, around 18 km north of Mattala town and roughly 25 km from Hambantota. Built in 2013 with very limited scheduled traffic since, the airport handles occasional charter and pilgrimage flights. It serves as a backup and diversion airport for Bandaranaike and is positioned for tourism to Yala National Park and the southern coast.

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Airlines flying from Mattala (HRI)

Major carriers: SriLankan Airlines.

Popular destinations from Mattala (HRI)

Frequently asked questions

Which airlines fly to Mattala (HRI)?
Scheduled service at HRI is sparse, with SriLankan Airlines historically operating limited rotations and occasional charter and pilgrimage flights from Gulf and Indian carriers. Most travellers heading to southern Sri Lanka end up flying into CMB instead. Flightmussy will show whatever live schedules exist for HRI alongside Colombo alternatives.
How far is Mattala Airport from Hambantota?
HRI sits about 18 km north of Mattala town and roughly 25 km from Hambantota itself, off the A18 highway. By taxi or pre-booked transfer the journey to Hambantota takes around 30 minutes, and the southern beach resorts at Tangalle and the Yala National Park entrance are within an hour to ninety minutes.
Is it cheaper to fly to HRI or CMB for southern Sri Lanka?
CMB almost always wins on fares because of its much wider carrier mix, even after accounting for the longer ground transfer south. Flightmussy's 12-month fare heatmap lets you compare the two side-by-side and the free, no-signup search surfaces both options in one query without forcing a sign-in wall.
When should I book flights to Mattala?
Because HRI runs such a thin schedule, last-minute availability is unreliable — booking 8 to 12 weeks ahead is sensible whenever a route is published. For most southern Sri Lanka trips, Flightmussy will route you through CMB and show the 12-month heatmap so you can pick the cheapest week to fly.

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