🇱🇰 Ampara Airport

Ampara Airport (IATA: ADP, ICAO: VCCG), also known as Gal Oya Airport, is a midsized domestic airport and a military airbase (Sri Lanka Air Force Ampara or SLAF Ampara) located in Ampara, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. It is owned by the Government of Sri Lanka and operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Type of Facility and Operations: The airport serves both military and civil aviation, providing a crucial link for domestic flights within Sri Lanka. It is equipped to handle short take-off and landing aircraft.

Notable Features and History: An airstrip was first constructed in Gal Oya near Uhana in the 1950s by the Gal Oya Development Board. The Sri Lanka Air Force established a detachment at the airstrip in December 1989, and a Regimental Training Center opened at the base in July 2000. The airport has a single asphalt/bitumen runway, designated 07/25, measuring approximately 1,097 meters (3,599-3,600 ft) in length and 46 meters (151 ft) in width. It is smaller than major international airports in Sri Lanka.

Current Status: Ampara Airport is currently operational and plays a significant role in the regional transportation network, facilitating access to the Eastern Province. While it presently handles a limited number of scheduled flights, there are intentions to expand its services and facilities to promote regional air travel and support the local economy. The airport does not publish its own METAR, with weather information typically sourced from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, located 129 km away.