IndiGo announces direct flights from Chennai to Jaffna

IndiGo has announced Jaffna, Sri Lanka as the newest addition in its international route network. The airline will start non-stop daily flights between Chennai and Jaffna, starting September 01, 2024. Jaffna will be the second destination in Sri Lanka after Colombo for IndiGo, making it the 34th international and 122nd overall destination in its extensive 6E network. 

This strategic announcement further strengthens the strong cultural and trade ties between India and Sri Lanka that have been marked by cooperation in the field of commerce, infrastructure development and air connectivity. Bookings for the flight open from August, 01, 2024. 

India has consistently held the position of the top primary market for international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. In June 2024, Indian arrivals accounted for 25.2 per cent of the total, with over 28,631 travellers, compared to a 26.7 per cent share in June 2023, with around 26,830 passengers. There is also an increasing interest in travel to Jaffna. The latest route announcement to Jaffna will enhance accessibility across the region. 

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, "We are pleased to announce Jaffna as our new destination in Sri Lanka, which will serve as a catalyst in enhancing trade & tourism between our two countries. In addition to these daily flights from Chennai to Jaffna, we also offer 30 weekly frequencies from 4 points in India to Colombo. This 75-minute flight would significantly reduce travel time, making Jaffna, Sri Lanka even more accessible. We are continuously working towards providing our customers with superior connectivity and enhanced accessibility to explore new horizons with our ever-expanding range of travel options.”