Bandaranaike International Airport (VCBI)

Colombo, Sri Lanka · Asia-Pacific

By Renzo, CPL

ICAO

VCBI

IATA

CMB

City

Colombo

Country

Sri Lanka

Region

Asia-Pacific

Elevation

30 ft

Runways

1 runway

Coordinates

7.1808, 79.8842

Overview

Sri Lankan gateway on the Indian Ocean. SriLankan Airlines hub with tropical maritime climate.

Current Weather at VCBI

Pilots flying into or out of Bandaranaike International Airport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.

Decode METAR for VCBI

Paste the VCBI METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.

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Check Weather Before Your Flight

A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Bandaranaike International Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:

METARHourly surface observation for VCBI. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for VCBI. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Colombo. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Bandaranaike International Airport.

Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.

Pilot Resources at Bandaranaike International Airport

Radio Frequencies

Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like VCBI include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.

Flight Schools Nearby

Browse flight schools near Colombo and compare training programs.

Private Pilot Guide

Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.

METAR Decoder

Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.

Sectional Chart Guide

Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Colombo.

Training Availability

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Flight Training Available

Bandaranaike International Airport has flight schools and training programs operating on the field or nearby. Browse flight schools

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