Domestic flights between Colombo and Jaffna resume [Tuesday , September 05, 2006 - 8.15 GMT]

Domestic flights between Jaffna and Colombo have resumed since yesterday from the Rathmalana airport. A 44-seater passenger aircraft left for Jaffna yesterday after a few weeks lay off due to security concerns.

According to the Air Force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha De Silva, it has been decided to have two flights per day to Jaffna from Rathmalana.

An official from the Areo Lanka Pvt. Limited, which operates Serendib Air, commented to the media that they would be operating flights as usual "We have also started marketing tickets once again," he said.  "We also operate flights to Trincomalee as and when the demand requires," he added. The flight operated yesterday by Serendib carried a UN team to Jaffna.

Seraj Mohamed, an official from Aero Lanka marketing section said that they too received the green light from both the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Ministry of Defence and would soon operate flights to Palaly. "We have to now get the logistics and other clearance to resume operations once again," he said.

An official of the Decan Helicopters, which operates charter flights, said that their operations have not been curtailed in any way. "We operate our services up to Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Amapara and any other destinations as and when requested," he said.

When contacted an official of the Palaly airport said that there is no technical problem at the airport. "Of course there was some shelling. However, the runway and the control tower is not damaged and this is why operations can resume immediately," he said.

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Last Updated Date: September 05, 2006 -8.15 GMT