Jaffna International Airport (VCCJ)
Large airport · Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Airport data
| Name | Jaffna International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VCCJ |
| IATA | JAF |
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 9°47'32" E 80°4'12" 9.79233, 80.07010 |
| Location | Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 4,593 ft (1400 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Jaffna International Airport at a glance
Jaffna International Airport is a large airport in Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, known to airline systems as JAF. The field elevation of 33 ft (10 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VCCJ are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 05/23, offers 4,593 ft (1400 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for VCCJ shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Jaffna International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Anuradhapura Airport | VCCA | 170 km (92 NM) |
| Tiruchirappalli International Airport | VOTR | 183 km (99 NM) |
| China Bay Airport | VCCT | 185 km (100 NM) |
| Madurai Airport | VOMD | 217 km (117 NM) |
| Hingurakgoda Air Force Base | VCCH | 218 km (118 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Jaffna International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 33 ft field elevation of Jaffna International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 10 airports and airfields we list for Sri Lanka — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Jaffna International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Jaffna International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Jaffna International Airport is VCCJ, and its IATA code is JAF. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Jaffna International Airport above sea level?
Jaffna International Airport sits at an elevation of 33 feet (10 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Jaffna International Airport located?
The airport lies at 9.7923, 80.0701 — in Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Anuradhapura Airport, about 170 km away.
Does VCCJ publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VCCJ appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Jaffna International Airport?
Jaffna International Airport has one runway. The longest, 05/23, measures 4,593 ft (1400 m) with a ASP surface.