India’s Alliance Air commences flights to Sri Lanka’s Jaffna International Airport
Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena opened the country’s third international airport – Jaffna International Airport – as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed a Bombardier ATR 72 aircraft from India’s Alliance Air as the first foreign flight to the airport.
Alliance Air, which is a unit of Indian airlines, had made its maiden international flight to the Jaffna International Airport last week at the opening of the airport.
The airport, situated 20 kilometers from Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna City, has been equipped with a 2.3 kilometer long runway.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Arjuna Ranatunga, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Governor Suren Raghavan along with other dignitaries graced the inaugural event.
Formerly known as the Palaly Airport and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Palaly, the airport has a history tracing back to Second World War wherein it was built by the Royal Air Force of Britain and served as the country’s second international airport before being taken over by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Under phase 2 of the Jaffna International Airport development programme, the runway length will be extended up to 2300 meters allowing for bigger aircraft.
OSL take:
The opening of the Sri Lanka’s third international airport in the country’s northern province would open up the island’s northern peninsula for trade and tourism. Sri Lanka’s Jaffna International Airport would further boost trade and tourism ties between Sri Lanka and India. The existing free trade agreement between the two countries would also be fully exploited due to the operation of direct flights between India and Sri Lanka. Foreign businesses/investors while exploring business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s northern province could also look at setting up base in the country to engage with India.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/22102019/Z_6 |