Breaking Barriers: Chennai to Jaffna Daily Flight Service Takes Off!
Commercial flights between Chennai, India, and Jaffna, Sri Lanka, have received a significant boost with the introduction of daily flight services by Alliance Air. This increase in frequency from the previous four-times-a-week service is expected to enhance travel and trade between the two countries. The announcement to expand flight operations between Chennai and Jaffna was made by Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, during the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) annual convention held in Colombo.
The daily commercial flights between Chennai and Jaffna began operations on Sunday, according to aviation officials. The Chief Airport Manager, Aruna Rajapaksa, confirmed the arrival of the inaugural flight in Jaffna at 11:30 am, marking the commencement of daily flights along this route, as reported by the NewsFirst news portal.
A press release by Sri Lanka’s Airport and Aviation Services stated, “Alliance Air is set to commence daily scheduled operations between Jaffna and Chennai, starting from 16th July 2023. Initially operating with their ATR72 aircraft, which can comfortably carry 70 passengers.”
Alliance Air
Originally, Alliance Air had planned to operate four flights per week starting from December 15, 2022. However, due to the growing demand for flights to Jaffna, the frequency was upgraded to a daily flight service.
The flights have been designed to provide passengers with timely and convenient travel options. The arrivals in Jaffna are scheduled for 11:30 am, and departures to Chennai are at 12:30 pm.
In a tweet on Sunday, the Indian government-owned carrier, Alliance Air, exclaimed, “Go South Go Chennai. An exciting trip awaits you in Chennai. Fly direct to Chennai from Jaffna, Mysore, and Hyderabad.”
Jaffna International Airport (JIA), developed with Indian assistance, now offers an increasing number of scheduled flights to cater to both domestic and international travelers.
In December 2022, India and Sri Lanka resumed flight services between Chennai and Jaffna, three years after the services were discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport in Palaly was renamed Jaffna International Airport, becoming Sri Lanka’s third international airport in October 2019. Its first flight also originated from Chennai.
Tourism is a crucial source of foreign exchange earnings for Sri Lanka. However, the pandemic severely impacted the country’s tourism sector in 2020, contributing significantly to its economic challenges.
With the launch of daily flights between Chennai and Jaffna, the travel and trade prospects between India and Sri Lanka are expected to witness a significant upturn. The increased accessibility will also likely encourage tourism and facilitate the flow of goods and services. Also, contributing to the economic recovery and growth of both regions.
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