On December 12, 2022, flights between India’s Chennai and Sri Lanka’s Jaffna finally resumed after a hiatus of three long years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first flight from Chennai after the resumption of the services landed at Sri Lanka’s Palali International Airport on the morning of December 12, as tweeted by MUM Ali Sabry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.
Sabry also notified that Alliance Air will run four weekly flights between Chennai and Palali.
Direct flights between Jaffna and Chennai resumed this morning with the first flight from Chennai landed at Palali International Airport; Alliance Air will operate 04 weekly flights between Palaly and Chennai –
— M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) December 12, 2022
First Flight From Chennai To Jaffna Flew On December 12
The resumption of Chennai-Jaffna flights happened just around a week after Sri Lanka lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for incoming international travellers. The services resumed after a gap of nearly 33 months. The first Chennai-Jaffna flight on December 12 had 14 passengers inside it and it received a grand welcome at Jaffna. This move is expected to give a huge boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. The nation is anticipating to draw a good number of travellers from the Southern part of India for spiritual and cultural tourism.
The return journey begins!! 9I 102 – return flight from #Jaffna to #Chennai being flagged off. pic.twitter.com/JljhzPMnI6
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) December 12, 2022
Also Read: South Asia’s First Disneyland Theme Park May Come Up In Sri Lanka’s Hambantota
Sri Lanka Has Lifted COVID-19 Restrictions For International Travellers
Sri Lanka is home to gorgeous beaches, magnificent sea-facing forts, charming mountains, splendid shrines, echoing green national parks and much more. The nation also houses an elephant orphanage in the lap of lush greenery. Sri Lanka can be a paradise for someone who loves nature. Now, travellers arriving in Sri Lanka do not need to show the mandatory COVID-19 certificate. Also, the flyers do not need to show any PCR or RAT test report before boarding the flight. As the restrictions have been lifted now, travelling to Sri Lanka can be smooth and hassle-free.
However, if anyone tests COVID-19 positive after reaching Sri Lanka, that individual needs to undergo isolation at a hotel, hospital or place of residence.
Are you planning to visit Sri Lanka soon?
Cover Image Courtesy: Unsplash and Wikimedia Commons
First Published: December 13, 2022 1:16 PM