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Jaffna International Airport Declared Open

October 24, 2019

The Jaffna International Airport (JIA) was declared open for international operations on the 17th of October, 2019 as the third international airport in Sri Lanka by adding a new chapter to the aviation industry of Sri Lanka.
The Northern part of the island being linked to the international air transport network is undoubtedly a national achievement. This fully-fledged international airport will meet the travel needs of the people of the North, minimizing their travel time on road while maximizing their productivity and quality of life. 
His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and HonourableRanilWickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, were the chief guests at the opening ceremony. Hon. ArjunaRanatunga, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr Suren Raghavan, Governor of Northern Province along with other dignitaries graced the inaugural event.
Marking inauguration of the Jaffna International Airport, Alliance Air (the subsidiary of Air India) launched a flight to the airport with top officials of Indian Aviation Authority and Alliance Air on the 17th. 
The geo-strategic location of the new International airport will give us the opportunity to capture a portion of the rapidly growing travel market in the South Indian sectors which has an annual growth of 12%. The Jaffna International Airport will also boost the tourism industry of Sri Lanka attracting international tourists to experience the unique and authentic subculture of the Northern Province.  
Alliance Air is scheduled to commence direct flight operations from Chennai to Jaffna International Airport from the first week of November 2019. 
 


Photos by: AASL Media