South Asia Monitor/NITN | @notintownlive | 05 Apr 2021, 07:10 am
Chennai-Jaffna Flight Operation
Image: Pixabay
Authorities in Sri Lanka are planning to resume Chennai- Jaffna flights soon. Resumption of air connectivity between the southern Indian city and northern Sri Lanka - that have social and cultural links - will give a boost to the tourism industry of the island nation, reported Daily Mirror.
Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said, “The flight operations connecting the Maldives with South Indian destinations via Sri Lanka would be launched.” Several airlines are in talks with Sri Lankan authorities, he claimed.
Initially, a civil terminal will be developed at Jaffna to handle 1000 passengers. Overall, the entire airport will be developed in three phases. The airport, commonly known as the Palali airport, has been used mostly for military purposes; first, by the British Royal Forces during the Second World War; secondly, by the Sri Lankan forces during the civil war.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, a few foreign airlines were operating flights from the airport but that stopped since the pandemic.
There are also plans to expand the runway so that it could handle wide-body aircraft.
The government is taking several initiatives to boost tourism in the country, including relaxing quarantine norms for those who have got their vaccine jabs. Data shows around 10,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka since 21 January.
- Jordan showcases Adventure Tourism with 2025 Marathon Des Sables
- 10 Indian nationals among 99 denied entry into Malaysia after security screening at Kuala Lumpur airport
- Visiting US just got $250 more expensive; here's why
- Air India begins phased resumption of international flights after AI171 crash; Heathrow to replace Gatwick on Ahmedabad-London route
- We took a hit post-Pahalgam but tourism is flowing back: J&K CM Omar Abdullah assures safety to visitors
- Air India expands codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius
- Air India announces network-wide sale ahead of the summer holiday season
- Best Honeymoon Destinations Outside India in 2025
- Several travel agencies suspend packages for Turkey, Azerbaijan for supporting Pakistan following Operation Sindoor
- Several major Indian airlines issue travel advisory to passengers amid escalated India-Pakistan tension
IndiGo has expanded its codeshare agreement with KLM, the Netherlands’ national airline, providing its passengers with enhanced access to destinations across Europe and the United Kingdom through KLM’s network, the airline said.
Etihad Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines have signed a frequent flyer partnership, allowing members of Etihad Guest and Azul Fidelidade programme to earn and redeem loyalty points across both airlines.
Emirates will deploy its newly refurbished Boeing 777 aircraft to and from Madrid starting from September 16, offering passengers a better travel experience with revamped interiors and premium features in all cabins.