India’s national carrier Alliance Air increased its flight frequency daily between India’s southern city of Chennai and Jaffna City in Sri Lanka’s north on Sunday. The earlier schedule was four flights a week between the two cities of the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Minister announced early this month for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia at the 67th Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention held in Colombo. He said: “Based on increased demand and potential of the South to amplify trade and commerce, we’re operating a direct flight between Chennai and Jaffna from 16th July. Already 16 daily flights connect India with Sri Lanka.”
India Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Alliance Air flight with the latest ATR72-600 aircraft leaves Chennai Airport at 10.10 am to reach Jaffna at 11.30 am. The return flight is at 12.30 pm from Jaffna, to reach Chennai at 1.55 pm. The aircraft has 70 seats.
Alliance Air was the first airline to launch international services from Jaffna after the airport’s revival in October 2019. The pandemic affected the country’s tourism- its second most economic contributor. The airline relaunched flights after the pandemic in December 2022 with four weekly flights. Jaffna International Airport (JIA) is Sri Lanka’s third international airport.
Jaffna region is known for the colourful Nallur Kandaswamy Festival in July. It celebrates timeless Hindu traditions. Kadurangama Temple, Jaffna’s mega Public Library, Chundikulum Bird Sanctuary, Neduntheevu (Delft Island), with 2000 horses roaming along its coastline, and Casuarina Beach are some of the attractions of Jaffna.
India and Sri Lanka share a common culture.
Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickramasinghe said during TAAI inauguration: “I’m suggesting tourism stakeholders to develop high earning products and attractions like plantation bungalows, boutique hotels. We’ll open-up Eastern province of Sri Lanka for investors soon and shall ease regulations for that.”
Minister of Tourism and Lands of the Government of Sri Lanka, Harin Fernando, said: “We’re developing domestic aviation as well and have nine domestic airports that are now operational with two airlines. Connectivity between India and Sri Lanka is amazing. SriLankan Airlines has 18 flights a week to India. Air India, Indigo, and Spicejet also operate flights between the two countries.”
The first Bilateral Air Service Agreement between India and Sri Lanka was signed in 1968.
Minister Scindia said: “Today we have flights operating from any point in India to any point in Sri Lanka, which enhances the connectivity in global south. Our partnership with Sri Lanka gives us a rare opportunity to undertake several reforms to become an access of power in global aviation eco-system. Stable and competitive aviation sector is on the anvil in India with development of worldclass airport infrastructure. I urge all industry stake holders to come together to take the industry to new heights.”
Written by: Madhura Katti
