Indian officials inspect Jaffna airport
India’s two carriers Air India and Alliance Air planning to fly to the Jaffna Airport sent an operational team this week to submit a progress report on the ground situation.
Director General Civil Aviation H.M.C. Nimalsiri told the Business Times on Friday that he met the airlines’ operational team on Thursday and assured of the progress to commence operations on October 17.
The airlines have already planned for scheduling for Jaffna and had noted that they were satisfied with the progress.
Mr. Nimalsiri said that they also had discussions on the security measures undertaken and had noted that plans were in place as per the required standards.
One of the concerns was pertaining to the weather and if it would be an impediment to commencing operations to the Jaffna Airport. Moreover, during the discussions, the team had also expressed their willingness to fly to Batticaloa airport as well. The team visited the Eastern airport during their tour of the airport facilities.
Mr. Nimalsiri noted that within two weeks the two carriers are likely to submit their feedback to the Sri Lankan civil aviation authorities.
Moreover, the Jaffna Airport scheduled to be commissioned for international operations and declared open on October 15 is likely to receive flights in future from Chennai as well and both airlines have expressed interest in this regard, the DGCA said previously.
A controversial issue that centred on flights coming into the Northern airport was the fact that there would be no connection between Tamil Nadu and Jaffna, which is a key market.