Govt. names 3 airports new points of entry and departure

• Jaffna, Batticaloa and Ratmalana named under Immigration and Emigration Act
• Comes ahead of today’s Jaffna International Airport opening 

The Government yesterday approved three airports, including the Jaffna International Airport (JIA), as new ports of entry and departure under the Immigration and Emigration Act, ahead of the commencement of regional commercial operations at JIA today.

Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Wajira Abeywardena made the declaration making JIA (formerly Palaly Airport), along with the Batticaloa International Airport and Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana three new ports of entry and departure.

The first flight into JIA will arrive from Chennai, India today after President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declare it open. A test flight landed on Tuesday from Chennai.

The first aircraft to land at the JIA will be an Alliance Air flight with invitees from the Indian aviation industry.  

The runway length at JIA has been extended from 950 metres to 1,400 metres, with the final runway length of 2,300 metres set to be in place following the completion of Phase Two of the JIA Development project.