Bandaranaike International Airport (often referred to as Katunayake or Columbo International Airport) is one of two international airports serving Colombo - the largest city in Sri Lanka.
The airport is 22 miles north of Colombo, making it convenient for both tourists and business travellers flying to the area. It was first used in 1944 as a Royal Air Force base during the Second World War and was neglected in later years, until work to create a new international airport began in 1964 resulting in the opening of Bandaranaike International in 1967.
While part of the airport remains a military airfield, the airport now welcomes many international and domestic passengers. Bandaranaike International is currently undergoing a programme of expansion which began in 2012 and will end in 2015 with the opening of a new complex featuring a second runway, split level terminal building, eight boarding gates, 14 boarding bridges, a tax free shopping mall, five star hotel, five storey car park and a business centre.