With the opening of flight services in Jaffna International Airport (once called Palaly Airport) announced today (17.10.2019), direct flight services to Indian cities – Chennai, Trichy and Kochi are scheduled to commence from November.
Earlier, the airport operated only domestic flight services but now it has been upgraded to international standards, with Rs.1.9. Billion coming from Sri Lanka and India adding Rs. 300 Million, reported a Sri Lankan News Agency.
The runway has been increased from 950 meters to 1400 meters and in the next phase it will be extended to 2300 meters, a source said. Commenting on the opening of flight services; Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said “We know that most relatives of the Northern people live in South India. In future, the Northern people can travel to India from the Palaly Airport instead of flying from Katunayake (Bandaranaike International Airport),” said.
He mentioned that talks with the Indian authorities have facilitated one trip daily, allowing seven flights to operate for a week. Alliance Air, which is a subsidiary of Air India will operate the flights to Jaffna.
A flight from Chennai, carrying no passengers but just the 16 member crew started its journey at 8.55 a.m. today from Meenambakkam and landed at the Jaffna airport where it was given a huge welcome.