Hingurakgoda Air Force Base (HIM)

Hingurakgoda Air Force Base (VCCH (HIM)) in Polonnaruwa Town, also known as Minneriya Airport, is primarily a military airbase currently undergoing significant modernization to become an international civilian airport. As a result, detailed recent traveler reviews and experiences for it operating as a fully-fledged international commercial airport are not yet available. Information regarding overall traveler sentiment, terminal facilities, security wait times, and transportation connections for international civilian operations is largely speculative as these developments are in progress.

What Travelers Love (Future Potential/Current Strengths):

• Strategic Location: The airport is strategically situated to support areas in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Its proximity to attractions like the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park makes it a potential gateway for tourism.
• Major Upgrade Plans: The government has allocated substantial funds (2 billion rupees initially, 17 billion total) for modernizing the airport, which includes runway extensions, advanced air navigation systems, a new passenger terminal, and a state-of-the-art air traffic control (ATC) tower. These improvements are intended to elevate the passenger experience.
• Enhanced Capacity: The runway is being extended from 2,287 meters to 2,500 meters to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
• Sri Lanka Air Force Involvement: The modernization project, overseen by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, is being carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force, showcasing their civil engineering capabilities.

Common Complaints (Current Limitations/Areas under Development):

• Lack of International Civilian Facilities: Currently, the airport functions primarily as a military base and domestic airport. It lacks the typical terminal facilities, amenities, and infrastructure expected of an international civilian airport, such as dedicated customs/immigration, extensive retail, or diverse dining options.
• Visual Approaches Only: The airport's sole runway is not equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS), meaning all approaches and takeoffs are currently performed visually. This could potentially limit operations in adverse weather conditions.
• Limited Commercial Operations: As of late 2024, the airport is transitioning, and there is no indication of significant commercial passenger traffic or a wide range of scheduled domestic or international flights, which naturally means a lack of reported traveler experiences.
• Construction Phase Impacts: With construction for modernization commencing in July 2024, there may be ongoing disruptions or limitations to any existing limited operations until the upgrades are completed.

While Hingurakgoda Air Force Base is poised to become a significant international civilian airport, it is currently in a transitional phase. Prospective travelers should be aware that many of the amenities and services associated with a modern international airport are still under development, with the first phase of runway expansion scheduled for completion by December 2024.