Nonstop flight route between Paphos, Cyprus and Hambantota, Sri Lanka:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Paphos International Airport (PFO), Paphos, Cyprus and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), Hambantota, Sri Lanka would travel a Great Circle distance of 3,660 miles (or 5,890 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Paphos International Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Paphos International Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Paphos International Airport (PFO):

• In May 2006, Hermes Airports Limited took over the construction, development and operation of both Larnaca and Paphos airports for a period of 25 years.
• Paphos International Airport handled 224,279 passengers last year.
• Refrigerated storage, health officials, and X-ray equipment are among some of the facilities provided for cargo.
• The closest airport to Paphos International Airport (PFO) is RAF Akrotiri (AKT), which is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) ESE of PFO.
• Paphos International Airport (PFO) currently has only 1 runway.
• Paphos International Airport is located 6.5 km southeast of the city of Paphos, Cyprus.
• The furthest airport from Paphos International Airport (PFO) is Rurutu Airport (RUR), which is located 11,557 miles (18,598 kilometers) away in Rurutu, French Polynesia.
• Because of Paphos International Airport's relatively low elevation of 41 feet, planes can take off or land at Paphos International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• In addition to being known as "Paphos International Airport", another name for PFO is "Διεθνής Αερολιμένας ΠάφουBaf Uluslararası Havaalanı".
• On 10 January 2012, Ryanair announced they were to open their 50th base in Paphos.
• A new four-lane road is being planned to link the airport and Paphos so passengers and staff can avoid using the B6 Main road and the E603 secondary road which are often heavily congested.

Facts about Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI):

• Because of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport's relatively low elevation of 157 feet, planes can take off or land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• A new aerodrome designed to meet the ICAO specification for code 4F is to be built.
• On March 2013, it was reported that certifications of compliance and certification of aerodrome was awarded to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
• Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) currently has only 1 runway.
• The Runway dimensions are 3500m * 60m with 7.5m paved shoulders either side and 260m Runway safety area on both runway ends.
• The furthest airport from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is Seymour Airport (GPS), which is located 11,719 miles (18,860 kilometers) away in Baltra Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
• As announced earlier the airport was opened for flight operations on 18 March 2013.
• The closest airport to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) is Weerawila Airport (WRZ), which is located only 8 miles (13 kilometers) ESE of HRI.
• In addition to being known as "Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport", another name for HRI is "මත්තල රාජපක්ෂ ජාත්‍යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපළமத்தல ராஜபக்ஷ பன்னாட்டு விமான நிலையம்".
• The airport was declared open by the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, on 18 March 2013 and commenced operations with the landing of a SriLankan Airlines special Airbus A340 flight named 'City of Magam Ruhunupura' with the President on board.
• On 24 January 2013, Sri Lanka Minister of Civil Aviation Piyankara Jayaratne said in parliament that the airport would be declared open on 18 March 2013.