Currently, India’s Alliance Air operates daily flight to Jaffna. Initially, the flights started with a viability gap financing by the Indian External Affairs Ministry in its move to improve linkages between northern Sri Lankan and southern India.

According to an informed source in Jaffna, such financing has been withdrawn after flight operations became commercially viable even prompting IndiGo to venture into the business.

There are now plans for the expansion of the Jaffna International Airport.

The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna also resumed operations recently.

The the ferry named ‘Sivagangai’ and operated by IndSri Ferry Services, completed its maiden journey on the route in approximately four hours, carrying around 50 passengers recently.

DM