Govt. to resume Jaffna Airport operations from Friday

The Government has decided to resume operations at the Jaffna International Airport from 1 July, after two years. 

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the proposal tabled by Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to resume operations at the Jaffna International Airport from July.

The Palaly airport was reopened as Jaffna International Airport on 11 November 2019, following the completion of the redevelopment project, with the support of India. However, its operational activities were suspended from 15 March 2020 again, as a result of the COVID–pandemic. 

“The international and regional airlines have submitted requests already to resume operations of rented air tours as well as time-framed flights from and to Jaffa an International Airport particularly from South Indian destinations,” a statement comprising weekly Cabinet Decisions issued by the Government Information Department noted.

Earlier this month, Minister de Silva paid an inspection visit to the airport and instructed officials to commence groundwork on expanding the runway with Indian assistance.  

At present, the runway can only accommodate 75-seater flights.

The Minister believes the move would support the tourism industry attract more Indian holidaymakers and help to attract foreign exchange to ease the economic crisis.