The Civil Aviation Authority and the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. from Sri Lanka and the Indian government were two other bodies that invested into the airport expansion.
As soon as the airport opens, Alliance Air, an Indian regional airline and a subsidiary of Indian Air, will launch regular twice daily flights operated by ATR72 or Q400 aircraft accommodating up to 80 passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are sure of the demand for air transportation to Jaffna – and while the peninsular is served both by buses and trains from Colombo, flying remains the most sensible way to travel from the economical point of view. According to the CAA, plans are underway to handle bigger aircrafts like A320/A321, both capable to accommodate up to 150 passengers.
Jaffna is the capital of the Northern province of Sri Lanka. It is the most important cultural centre of the Tamil people. Indian Tamils constitute a considerable part of the population of Jaffna hence the ties between Jaffna Peninsular and India are very tight. During the year, the city hosts a number of important festivals including Tamil New Year and Nallur Kovil Thaer Thiruvizha (Chariot Festival).
Palaly Airport near Jaffna, Sri Lanka to Open by End August
News in Asia
Palaly Airport in the northern part of Sri Lanka is scheduled to start operations by the end of August. Its expansion was partially financed by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Fund in a bid to attract more tourists to the Jaffna Peninsula.