# ACJ — Anuradhapura Airport

> Machine-readable reference for ACJ. Single-airport scope. Re-fetch when content_generated_at changes.

Canonical: https://airport.flights/airport/acj
HTML page: https://airport.flights/airport/acj
Markdown alt: https://airport.flights/airport/acj.md
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/ACJ.json (includes live arrivals + weather)
Sitemap: https://airport.flights/sitemap-airports.xml
Last refreshed: 2026-06-19T07:25:14.428+00:00

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## Identity

- Name: Anuradhapura Airport
- IATA: ACJ
- ICAO: VCCA
- City: Anuradhapura
- Country: LK (LK)
- Timezone: Asia/Colombo
- Distance from city: 4.6 km (2.9 mi) southeast of Anuradhapura town[3]
- Runways: 1
- Terminals: 1

## Overview

Welcome Anuradhapura Airport (ACJ) is a bit of an oddball in aviation—a Sri Lanka Air Force base posing as a civilian airport. Its peculiar status means no scheduled commercial flights, no bustling terminals, and no retail or dining spots. Instead, it's primarily used for occasional charter flights between Colombo and Anuradhapura, facilitating a quick entry into the country's Cultural Triangle for travelers in the know. At a glance Situated approximately 4.6 kilometers southeast of Anuradhapura town, ACJ lacks the typical amenities found at commercial airports. It operates more as a quiet airstrip under military control than a passenger hub, with charter flights occasionally heading to Colombo–Ratmalana. For most travelers, the airport is essentially a ground transport node. Terminals & layout The airport has a single terminal, referred to simply as the Main Terminal. Without scheduled flights, it sees little use aside from charter operations by Air Senok, FitsAir, and Helitours. There's no need to navigate multiple gates or terminals here—most of the "action" happens outside with ground transport arrangements. Getting to and from the city With ACJ's limited services, travelers ty…

## Terminals (1)

- **Main Terminal** — airlines: Air Senok (charter to Colombo–Ratmalana), FitsAir (charter to Colombo–Ratmalana), Helitours (charter to Colombo–Ratmalana)
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/terminals/main

## Ground transport (8)

- **Charter helicopter services** — Helicopter charter to air base
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/charter-helicopter-services
- **Helitours** — Charter and military-affiliate
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/helitours
- **Intercity bus Colombo–Anuradhapura** — Bus from Colombo to town · About 2 h from Negombo to Anuradhapura (user-reported); 2 h 45 min Katunayake–Anuradhapura by NCG Express (Rome2Rio) · NCG Express: twice daily Katunayake–Anuradhapura (Rome2Rio)
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/intercity-bus-colombo-anuradhapura
- **Local Anuradhapura buses** — Urban and regional bus routes
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/local-anuradhapura-buses
- **PickMe** — App-based tuk tuk and taxi in 
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/pickme
- **Private car transfer** — Road · About 5 hours drive Colombo Airport→Anuradhapura (user-reported) · $80 one way Colombo Airport→Anuradhapura; ~$120 Anuradhapura→Colombo (user-reported)
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/private-car-transfer
- **Sri Lanka Railways Colombo–Anuradhapura line** — Train to town · Rome2Rio notes a train option from Kandy to Anuradhapura but does not provide a specific duration on the referenced page
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/sri-lanka-railways-colombo-anuradhapura-line
- **Tuk tuks in Anuradhapura** — Local street taxis
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/acj/transport/tuk-tuks-in-anuradhapura

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: If your tour suggests a "domestic flight" to Anuradhapura, double-check it's a private charter and not a non-existent scheduled service.
- _Time_: Fly into Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) and plan for a 3.5–4.5-hour drive up the A9 for a practical approach to Anuradhapura.
- _Local_: PickMe app is essential for getting around Anuradhapura—install it before arriving as taxis aren't waiting outside the air base.
- _Insider_: Pre-book a car and driver to meet any charter flight at the gate through your hotel or travel service.
- _Avoid_: Ignore Anuradhapura Airport in flight searches; it leads to misleading itinerary ideas. Focus on entering through Colombo.
- _Quiet_: Photography enthusiasts should request authorization before snapping photos at the airbase, as it operates under military protocols.
- _Local_: Consider the Colombo–Anuradhapura railway for a quaint, scenic, and locally flavored arrival experience.

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## Live data

Live arrivals, departures, and weather are not in this static reference. Fetch:
- https://airport.flights/api/airport/ACJ.json — JSON with current live boards + weather (12h cache)
- https://airport.flights/airport/acj/arrivals — HTML page with live arrivals
- https://airport.flights/airport/acj/departures — HTML page with live departures