JIA commences commercial flight operations

Tuesday, 12 November 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Air Alliance to have weekly flights, FitsAir to operate charter flights

The Jaffna International Airport (JIA) yesterday commenced international commercial flight operations, with its inaugural flight initiated by Alliance Air.

The subsidiary of Air India will operate weekly flights from Jaffna to Chennai, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) revealed in a statement.

In addition to JIL being the third and newest international airport in the country, local operator FitsAir is the first privately-owned local airline licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to operate internationally. Scheduled and charter flights by FitsAir will operate from JIA to Chennai as well as Tiruchirappalli.

According to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), “the commencement of international flights between Jaffna and South India will reduce costs by nearly 50% for thousands of local and international travellers and save them valuable travel time” as opposed to flights between Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport and South India.

Speaking about JIA, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Chairman Dammika Ranatunga said: “After years of non-operation, it will now contribute greatly to the Sri Lankan economy by boosting tourism opportunities and increasing investment prospects in the hospitality sector.”

As for JIA staff, Ranatunga said all employees serving the airport’s safety and security were highly trained and had been transferred from BIA to maintain similar standards, adding, “Sri Lanka is ranked first in aviation safety in South Asia and 16th globally by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”