Colombo, Dec 13 (Representative) Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, has resumed its direct services connecting Chennai and Jaffna, after a nearly three-year pandemic-caused break. The inaugural flight from Chennai post-2020 landed at the Jaffna International Airport before noon on Monday, it was reported on Tuesday. “India remains the top source market year-to-date for Sri Lanka, and the resumption of Chennai and Jaffna direct flight will indeed be a big boost to draw more travellers from (India),” Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told the Daily FT newspaper. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, India remains strong as the top tourist source market for year-to-date with a cumulative number of arrivals at 110,077. The airline is all set to expand globally and commence commercial flight operations from Jaffna to Chennai with direct flight operations on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
“Jaffna is one of the most beautiful towns located right on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Jaffna is known for its predominant Tamil population and recognised as the cultural capital for Tamilians in Sri Lanka. The hospitality of the locals will surely impress any tourist to this place,” the airline said. “They are just not wonderful people but are friendly too. If you are looking for a destination which offers beauty and great hospitality to travellers, then Jaffna should be in your travel plan,” the airline said last week. The Palaly airport was reopened as Jaffna International Airport in November 2019, following the completion of the redevelopment project, with the support of India. However, its operational activities were suspended from March 2020 again as a result of the Covid–pandemic. At present, the Jaffna runway can only accommodate 75-seater flights. The runway is expected to be redeveloped to accommodate larger aircrafts in future.