Sri Lanka to re-open Northern Jaffna airport for international flights
Economynext: Sri Lanka plans to re-start international flights at Jaffna Airport in the North of the country which were halted during the Coronavirus crisis, with the cabinet of ministers giving approval, the state information office said.Jaffna Airport is Sri Lanka’s third international airport, which was opened officially on October 17,2019 and flights to and from India were planned to operate from this airport.India’s Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, operated weekly flights to the airport in 2019 year from Chennai.The Jaffna International Airport project cost a total of 2,250 rupees and out of that 300 million rupees was an aid from India.However, its operational activities were suspended from March 15, 2020 due to the COVID – 19 pandemics.
The cabinet has given the approval to re-initiate the operation effecting from July 01,2022, after considering a request made by the internationally and locally based aeronautical companies to restart the operation of Charter flights and scheduled flights from that Airport to South Indian destinations.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s Northern Province is fast growing as a business hub within the country. The province’s close proximity to India and the strong bilateral and trade ties between Sri Lanka and India have placed Sri Lanka’s Northern Province as a fast growing business destination. The country’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as concessions enjoyed by the country have had an overall impact on the country’s trade sector. However, the opening up of a new market for India in close proximity could provide Indian businesses/investors many lucrative business opportunities. Other foreign businesses/investors interested in doing business with India could set up base in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province to engage with India. Also, the restarting of flights between Jaffna in Sri Lanka and India could help boost Sri Lanka’s tourism industry opening a host of new business/investment opportunities.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/15072022/X_2 |