Plans to open up for other country flights

Sri Lanka is planning to resume flights from the Jaffna Airport in Palaly to India with the recommencement of international flights from next month.

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva following an inspection to the Airport on Friday instructed the Palaly Airport Authority and the Airport and Aviation Authority to commence international flights at Palaly Airport from July 1, a media spokesman to the ministry said.

The minister asserted that the move would support the country’s tourism industry and help in easing the economic crisis.

The Minister said that Palaly Airport is the best and cheapest airport for Indians in particular to visit Sri Lanka and it is cheaper for tourists from other countries to come to Palaly Airport and start their travels from there than to start their travels from Colombo via Palaly Airport.

The Minister also instructed the authorities to hold discussions with the other airlines to launch new flights from Palaly Airport not only to India but also to other countries.

The Minister inspected the existing facilities at Palaly Airport and said that a duty free shopping complex with the necessary upgrades should be set up there soon.

The authorities also pointed out that since the existing airstrip can only be used by aircraft carrying 72 passengers, the airstrip needs to be extended to accommodate larger aircraft.

The minister had endorsed the authorities views in this regard and had told them to look into the possibility of extending the airstrip.

The Minister said that with the development of the Palaly Airport and the Kankesanthurai Port, the expatriate Tamil community could come to their homeland in the North and start new businesses by investing their own money.

He said that the officers currently serving at the Palaly Airport should be attached to the Katunayake Airport from time to time and those working at the Katunayake Airport should be attached to the Palaly Airport to give them proficiency in both Sinhala and Tamil languages.

The Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for its support to the development of the Palaly Airport and for its commitment to help Sri Lanka in general to grow economically.

The Minister said that the loan assistance provided by India will be used for the development of the runway at Palaly.

The Minister pointed out that the best development gift that can be given to the people of the North is the development and empowerment of the Palaly Airport and the Kankesanthurai Port, which will lead to economic development as well as socio-cultural development in the North.