CHENNAI- Indian government-owned Alliance Air (9I) has begun daily commercial flights between Chennai (MAA) and Jaffna City (JAF) in Sri Lanka, upgrading from the previous four-times-a-week service.
The move, announced by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, aims to strengthen travel and trade ties between the two countries.
Alliance Air Go Daily between Chennai and Jaffna
The Jaffna International Airport (JIA) witnessed the commencement of daily flights on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in air connectivity between the regions.
The move comes as a result of the rising demand for flights to Jaffna and is set to enhance timely and convenient travel options for passengers.
On Sunday, the daily commercial flights between Chennai and Jaffna International Airport (JIA) in Sri Lanka’s north officially commenced, as confirmed by Chief Airport Manager Aruna Rajapaksa.
The frequency increase was a decision by Alliance Air, which had planned four weekly flights since December 15, 2022, but responded to the surging demand for travel to Jaffna by upgrading to daily operations.
The press release by Sri Lanka’s Airport and Aviation Services emphasized that Alliance Air’s ATR72 aircraft, with a capacity of 70 passengers, would be employed for the daily scheduled operations.
The flights are designed to offer timely and convenient travel options, with arrivals at 11:30 am and departures to Chennai at 12:30 pm.
The JIA, developed with Indian assistance, has expanded its flight services to cater to domestic and international travelers. In December 2022, flight services between Chennai and Jaffna were resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Increased Tourism Between Cities
Tourism, a vital source of foreign exchange earnings for Sri Lanka, faced severe setbacks during the pandemic. Further contributing significantly to the country’s economic challenges.
With the resumption of regular flights between Chennai and Jaffna, tourism is expected to receive a much-needed boost. Potentially alleviating some of the financial burdens.
The Indian government-owned carrier, Alliance Air, took to Twitter to promote the new route. Further encouraging travelers to explore Chennai, Mysore, and Hyderabad with direct flights from Jaffna.
In conclusion, the daily flights between Alliance Air Chennai and Jaffna are poised to strengthen ties between India and Sri Lanka, facilitate convenient travel for passengers, and contribute to the revival of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, providing a potential path to economic recovery.
Feature Image: Harsh Tekriwal (@avgeekwithlens) • Instagram photos and videos
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