Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

VCRI / HRI

Mattala, LK

Last Updated
Mar 4, 13:10Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 46 min ago
13:10Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
26°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
3 kt
150°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR VCRI 041310Z 15003KT CAVOK 26/22 Q1011

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Airport Runway Layout

N
CRI
05
23 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
11,483 ft 197 ft Asphalt
0.5 kt 3.0 kt
80° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - VCRI

2,885 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
80.3%
MVFR
18.8%
IFR
0.8%
LIFR
0.1%

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 80.3% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the NE averaging 7.2 knots. Temperatures typically range between 19°C and 36°C with an average of 27.3°C. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NE (45°)
Average Speed: 7.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 21 kt
Calm Winds: 2.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
14%
NE
32.9%
E
6%
SE
4.2%
S
6%
SW
10.9%
W
19.3%
NW
4.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.3°C
Range: 19°C to 36°C
19°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0%

Best Months for VFR

September October February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.8 kt

Statistics computed from 2,885 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: VCRI
IATA Code: HRI
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 157 ft MSL

Location

City: Mattala
Country: LK
Latitude: 6.284467°
Longitude: 81.124128°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-5

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 11,483 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: Asphalt
ILS: No

About Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Overview

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is a large international airport located in southeastern Sri Lanka, positioned near the city of Mattala at coordinates 6.284467, 81.124128. The airport sits at an elevation of 157 feet above mean sea level and serves as a strategic aviation facility in the region. Its single runway (05/23) extends 11,483 feet in length, constructed with an asphalt surface.

Flying Conditions

The airport's location in southeastern Sri Lanka suggests potential for variable tropical weather conditions with potential seasonal wind shifts. Pilots should anticipate potential crosswind scenarios on the 05/23 runway, given its single directional orientation. The moderate elevation of 157 feet MSL indicates minimal terrain-related performance considerations for most aircraft.

Notable Features

The runway's substantial 11,483-foot length accommodates a wide range of aircraft types and provides significant operational flexibility. Its asphalt construction offers a stable surface suitable for heavy commercial and cargo operations. The airport's geographic position suggests potential for complex local atmospheric interactions typical of coastal and inland transitional zones.

Approach Considerations

Runway 05/23 provides a single approach option with significant runway length, allowing considerable margin for landing and takeoff performance. Pilots should carefully assess prevailing wind conditions given the runway's single directional alignment. Standard instrument approach procedures will be critical for safe operations, particularly during periods of reduced visibility or challenging meteorological conditions.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.