Jaffna International Airport

During World War II the British Royal Air Force built an airfield on {{Convert|145.3|ha|acre|0|adj=ri0|lk=on|abbr=on}} of land in Palaly near Kankesanthurai in northern Ceylon.{{cite news |last1=Lohathayalan |first1=N. |title=The Jaffna International Airport: Fulfilling Sri Lankan aspirations |url=http://www.ft.lk/opinion/The-Jaffna-International-Airport-Fulfilling-Sri-Lankan-aspirations/14-687772 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=17 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |title=Jaffna, Sri Lanka |url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16286-print.html |work=Ceylon Today |date=4 November 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907180938/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16286-print.html |archive-date=7 September 2013 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka |access-date=7 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=History of Air Force Palaly |url=http://www.airforce.lk/est/ply/plyhisbs.htm |publisher=Sri Lanka Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302223927/http://www.airforce.lk/est/ply/plyhisbs.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} The airfield's runway was around {{Convert|2000|m|ft|0|adj=ri0|lk=on|abbr=on}} long.{{cite news |last1=Ratwatte |first1=Suren |title=Jaffna International Airport |url=http://www.ft.lk/columns/Jaffna-International-Airport/4-688074 |access-date=27 October 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=22 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} A number of RAF squadrons (160, 203, 292, 354) and air-sea rescue units were stationed at the airfield during and immediately after the war.{{cite web |last1=Barrass |first1=M. B. |title=RAF Stations - K |url=http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-K.htm |publisher=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=20 October 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Jayawardena |first1=Elmo |date=16 October 2019 |title=Palaly comes to life again |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Palaly-comes-to-life-again/131-176186 |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=The Daily Mirror |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} The airfield was abandoned after the war and taken over by the Department of Civil Aviation.

The inaugural flight by Air Ceylon on 10 December 1947 was from Ratmalana Airport to Madras via Palaly.{{cite news |last1=Thiedeman |first1=Roger |title=A foundation in the sky: Air Ceylon was born 50 years ago |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/971207/plus10.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=7 December 1997 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} After independence the airport provided domestic flights to Colombo (Ratmalana) and Trincomalee, and international flights to south India (Madras and Tiruchirappalli).{{cite book |title=Sri Lanka Year Book 1977 |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka |page=342 |url=http://noolaham.net/project/148/14702/14702.pdf}}{{cite book |last1=Gunawardena |first1=Chares A. |title=Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka |date=2005 |publisher=New Dawn Press Group |location=Elgin, U.S.A. |isbn=1932705481 |page=10 |edition=2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hWLQSMPddikC}} Locals used the airport when visiting south India for cultural, educational and religious reasons while local politicians and officials used the airport for travelling to Colombo. Each year government employees would request three railway warrants for journeys between Kankesanthurai and Galle, the longest and costliest rail journey possible, and exchange these for air tickets between Palaly and Ratmalana. Air Ceylon's Douglas DC-3, Avro HS-748 and Nord 262 planes operated out of the airport. The growth of Tamil militancy put an end to civilian flights at the airport.

A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) detachment moved onto the site around 1976. The site became an Air Field Unit in January 1982. The airport served as major facility for the Sri Lankan military during the civil war. The army forcibly seized {{Convert|261.4|ha|acre|0|adj=ri0|lk=on|abbr=on}} of neighbouring land in 1985. Following the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in July 1987 the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) used Palaly to transport troops between India and Sri Lanka.{{cite news |last1=Sivapriyan |first1=E. T. B. |title=Jaffna airport opens; Alliance Air first flight to land |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/jaffna-airport-opens-alliance-air-first-flight-to-land-769056.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Deccan Herald|date=17 October 2019 |location=Bangalore, India}} On 5 October 1987 around a dozen members of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), whom the Sri Lankan military were going to fly to Colombo to face criminal charges related to killing rival Tamil militants, committed suicide on the tarmac at Palaly airport by consuming cyanide capsules.{{cite news |last1=Athas |first1=Iqbal |author-link1=Iqbal Athas |title=Seventeen detained members of Sri Lanka's largest Tamil rebel... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/10/05/Seventeen-detained-members-of-Sri-Lankas-largest-Tamil-rebel/2709560404800/ |access-date=27 October 2019 |work=United Press International |date=8 October 1987 |location=Boca Raton, U.S.A.}}{{cite news |last1=Senadhira |first1=Sugeeswara |title=The cyanide drama that brought 'referee Rajiv' into the ring |url=http://www.uthr.org/BP/volume2/AppendixII.htm |access-date=27 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=1 October 1989 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |last1=Mukarji |first1=Apratim |title=The unwanted peacekeepers |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/001112/plus8.html |access-date=27 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=12 November 2000 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} Among the dead were two senior LTTE commanders - Kumarappa (Jaffna commander) and Pulendran (Trincomalee commander).{{cite news |title=Kumarappa, Pulendran Eighteenth anniversary held in Jaffna |url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=16019 |access-date=27 October 2019 |work=TamilNet |date=5 October 2005}}{{cite book |last=Hoole |first=Rajan |title=Broken Palmyra - Volume 2: Reports and Analysis |year=1990 |publisher=University Teachers for Human Rights |url=http://www.uthr.org/BP/volume2/Chapter1.htm |chapter=Chapter 1: October Days |author-link=Rajan Hoole}}{{cite magazine |last=Jeyaraj |first=D. B. S. |title=Death of a Tiger |magazine=Frontline |date=13 October 2001 |volume=18 |issue=21 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl1821/18210570.htm |author-link= |location=Chennai, India |access-date=27 October 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 1989, as the IPKF were preparing to withdraw from Sri Lanka, paramilitaries belonging to Indian backed groups such as the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front escaped to Colombo via Palaly airport. They were each charged Rs. 5,000 by the SLAF - a standard return flight cost only Rs. 3,000 at that time.

During the early 1990s the airport and surrounding areas were declared a High Security Zone and all the residents were expelled.{{cite magazine |last=Jeyaraj |first=D. B. S. |title=High-stakes zones |magazine=Frontline |date=18 January 2003 |volume=20 |issue=2 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl2002/stories/20030131080202600.htm |author-link= |location=Chennai, India |access-date=20 October 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |title=Asia Report No. 220 - Sri Lanka's North II: Rebuilding under the Military |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-s-north-ii-rebuilding-under-military |publisher=International Crisis Group |access-date=20 October 2019 |location=Brussels, Belgium |page=21 |date=16 March 2012}} Between 1990 and 1995 this High Security Zone was the only government controlled territory on the Valikamam region. After the Valikamam was recaptured by the Sri Lankan military in 1995 the airport served as a vital link to the rest of the country as the land route was controlled by the LTTE. The SLAF then started a regular service between Palaly and Colombo. The SLAF's Helitours arm provided civilian flights using aircraft and crew leased from the former Soviet Union.

File:Angelina Jolie in Jaffna.JPG at Jaffna International Airport during her to visit to Jaffna in April 2003.]]

Lionair started operating flights for civilians between Palaly and Ratmalana in August 1996, taking over from the SLAF, and doubled fares.{{cite web |title=Information Bulletin No.19 - Lion Air Flight 602 from Jaffna: Crossing the Bar into the Twilight of Silence |url=http://www.uthr.org/bulletins/bul19.htm |publisher=University Teachers for Human Rights |access-date=20 October 2019 |location=Jaffna, Sri Lanka |date=16 October 1998}} Lionair had a profitable monopoly until March 1998 when Monara Airlines started flights on the same route.{{cite news |title=First flight fiasco |url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=1034 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=TamilNet |date=2 March 1998}} Monara suspended its services on 16 September 1998 after receiving threats from the LTTE for carrying military personnel.{{cite news |title=Jaffna airline offices close |url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=2044 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=TamilNet |date=16 September 1998}} On 29 September 1998 Lionair Flight 602 left the airport around 1.48pm bound for Ratmalana Airport.{{cite news |title=Lion Air flight said missing |url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=2115 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=TamilNet |date=29 September 1998}} At 2.10 pm it was reported missing. Locals reported seeing the plane plunge into the sea near Iranaitivu, {{Convert|15|km|mi|0|adj=ri0|lk=on|abbr=on}} north of Mannar.{{cite news |title=Fishermen say witnessed crash |url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=2120 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=TamilNet |date=30 September 1998}} All 55 on board were killed.{{cite news |title=hattered dreams behind Lion Air mystery |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/981004/spec.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=4 October 1998 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} The LTTE was accused of shooting down the flight. Lionair suspended flights to Palaly immediately.{{cite news |title=Flights suspended after plane lost |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/185944.stm |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=BBC News |date=3 October 1998 |location=London, U.K.}}

Following the Norwegian facilitated ceasefire, civilian flights resumed from Palaly in June 2002 when ExpoAir started operating flights between Palaly and Ratmalana.{{cite news |title=Jaffna in just over 1 hour with ExpoAir |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/biznews.php?nid=157 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Ada Derana |date=26 January 2012 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |title=Soaring demand for flights to Jaffna |url=https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=7266 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=TamilNet |date=10 August 2002}} The flights became very popular and at its peak ExpoAir was operating four flights a day using two 52-seater Fokker F27-500 planes.{{cite news |title=ExpoAir begins regularJaffna flights |url=http://www.ft.lk/article/68098/ExpoAir-begins-regularJaffna-flights |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=25 January 2012 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}

ExpoAir suspended services in 2010 due to a drop in demand but services resumed again in January 2012.{{cite news |title=ExpoAir flies to Jaffna |url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=43848 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Island |date=25 January 2012 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} The airline operated two return flights a day using a 12-seater Cessna Grand Caravan. A new passenger terminal was opened on 4 January 2013.{{cite news |title=New passenger terminal for Palaly |url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-21173-news-detail-new-passenger-terminal-for-palaly.html |work=Ceylon Today |date=5 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211222320/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-21173-news-detail-new-passenger-terminal-for-palaly.html |archive-date=11 December 2013 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |title=New Passenger Terminal at Palaly Airport |url=http://www.ft.lk/shippingaviation/new-passenger-terminal-at-palaly-airport/21-128879 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=7 January 2013 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}

In 2014 Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Mavai Senathirajah, who is from nearby Maviddapuram, appealed to the Indian consul in Jaffna to upgrade Palaly Airport.{{cite news |last1=Rubatheesan |first1=S. |title=Jaffna's fast-tracked airport nearly fell victim to Easter Sunday attack |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191020/news/jaffnas-fast-tracked-airport-nearly-fell-victim-to-easter-sunday-attack-374145.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=20 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} The appeal was forwarded to the Government of India, and after approval by the Prime Minister of India, negotiations began with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). In late 2015 GoSL gave approval for an agreement between the two countries to upgrade the airport. The agreement met with resistance from civil servants in Colombo who feared that any development of the north would be at the expense of the south. Some Tamil politicians also opposed the plans, claiming that any development of the airport would result in further acquisition of civilian land. However, with increasing pressure from the TNA, the Indian government decided to go ahead with the redevelopment.

Officials from Chennai International Airport arrived at Palaly in March 2016 to carry out technical and feasibility studies and concluded that the redevelopment could be carried out without any further acquisition of civilian land.{{cite news |title=India-SL to upgrade Jaffna airport without acquiring more land |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/107287/India-SL-to-upgrade-Jaffna-airport-without-acquiring-more-land |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Daily Mirror |date=23 March 2016 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} Detailed plans were drawn up but the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA), fearing that any direct international flights to Palaly would cause Bandaranaike International Airport's income to fall, denied permission. By late 2018 Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's minority government had become reliant on TNA support to stay in power. In return, the TNA demanded that Palaly be redeveloped into an international airport. In order to overcome communal objections from southern officials Wickremesinghe gave a commitment that Ratmalana Airport would become an international airport at the same time as Palaly Airport. The CAA agreed to give permission on condition that Palaly only serves as a regional airport (i.e. no long-haul flights) and that any Indian financial assistance would in the form of grants rather than loans. In the meantime civil society groups from eastern Sri Lanka complained to the Indian consul in Jaffna that Indian development work was only focussed on the north and ignored the east. The Indian government agreed to redevelop Batticaloa Airport and the Sri Lankan government agreed to make it an international airport as well.

Although Palaly Airport had a 2,300-metre runway only 950 metres had been refurbished to a suitable standard for passenger aircraft.{{cite news |title=Jaffna Airport to conform to international standards |url=http://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2019/10/13/business/jaffna-airport-conform-international-standards |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Sunday Observer |date=13 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} Redevelopment of the airport began in July 2019 with the extension of the runway from 950 metres to 1,400 metres (phase 1), allowing it to handle aircraft with a seating capacity of up to 75.{{cite news |last1=Jabbar |first1=Zacki |title=President, PM to declare open new Jaffna International Airport today |url=http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=212204 |access-date=21 October 2019 |work=The Island |date=16 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |title=Upgrading of Palaly airport takes off |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190707/news/upgrading-of-palaly-airport-takes-off-357172.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=7 July 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |last1=Sirimane |first1=Shirajiv |title=Palali Airport to launch direct flights to four Indian destinations from Oct. |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2019/07/08/finance/190436/palali-airport-launch-direct-flights-four-indian-destinations-oct |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Daily News |date=8 July 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} The Road Development Authority was given the task of constructing the new apron, taxiway and roads and overlaying the runway.{{cite news |last1=Bandara |first1=Kelum |title=Alliance Air to operate 3 flights a week to Jaffna from Indian destinations |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front_page/Alliance-Air-to-operate-3-flights-a-week-to-Jaffna-from-Indian-destinations/238-176088 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Daily Mirror |date=14 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |last1=Kirinde |first1=Chandani |title=JIA set to welcome first regional flight as Govt. looks to expand aviation links |url=http://www.ft.lk/front-page/JIA-set-to-welcome-first-regional-flight-as-Govt-looks-to-expand-aviation-links/44-687575 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=14 October 2019}} The state-owned Airport and Aviation Services (AAS) were responsible for constructing the control tower, terminal building, fire brigade facilities, office complex and air navigation systems.

In early October 2019 the airport was made a regional airport, renamed Jaffna International Airport and placed under the jurisdiction of the CAA.{{cite news |title=Palali renamed as Jaffna Intl Airport, bringing total number of Intl. Airports in SL to 5 |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1104755/palali-renamed-as-jaffna-intl-airport-bringing-total-number-of-intl-airports-in-sl-to-5 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=3 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka |archive-date=8 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008073117/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1104755/palali-renamed-as-jaffna-intl-airport-bringing-total-number-of-intl-airports-in-sl-to-5 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Kirinde |first1=Chandani |title=Jaffna International Airport vested with CAA; readies for Rs. 20 b modernisation |url=http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Jaffna-International-Airport-vested-with-CAA-readies-for-Rs-20-b-modernisation/44-686959 |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=3 October 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite magazine |title=PART I : SECTION (I) – GENERAL Government Notifications THE AIR NAVIGATION REGULATION OF 1955 Notice under Regulation 126 |journal=The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |date=10 October 2019 |issue=2144/47 |url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2019/10/2144-47_E.pdf |access-date=14 October 2019 |publisher=Government of Sri Lanka |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite magazine |title=PART I : SECTION (I) – GENERAL Government Notifications CIVIL AVIATION ACT, No. 14 OF 2010 Order under Section 6 |journal=The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |date=11 October 2019 |issue=2144/64 |url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2019/10/2144-64_E.pdf |access-date=15 October 2019 |publisher=Government of Sri Lanka |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} AAS were appointed operator of the civilian side of the airport. The renovated airport was opened by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on 17 October 2019.{{cite news |title=Sirisena inaugurates Lanka's 3rd international airport |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/international/sirisena-inaugurates-lankas-3rd-international-airport-769257.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Deccan Herald |agency=Press Trust of India |date=18 October 2019 |location=Bangalore, India}}{{cite news |last1=Rasooldeen |first1=Mohammed |title=Sri Lanka turns former military air base into third international airport |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1570411/world |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Arab News |date=18 October 2019 |location=Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}} The arrival of an Alliance Air ATR 72-600 aircraft from Chennai carrying airline officials and journalists signalled the inauguration of Sri Lanka's third international airport.{{cite news |last1=Rohit |first1=T. K. |title=Alliance Air connects Chennai, Jaffna via maiden flight service |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/alliance-air-connects-chennai-jaffna-via-maiden-flight-service/article29731050.ece |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=18 October 2019 |location=Chennai, India}} This was also Alliance Air's first overseas flight. The renovations cost Rs 2.25 billion of which Rs 1.95 billion was funded by the Sri Lankan government and Rs 0.3 billion from the Indian government.{{cite news |last1=Ayyappan |first1=V. |title=40 years on, Chennai-Jaffna flight restarts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/40-years-on-chennai-jaffna-flight-restarts/articleshow/71640705.cms |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Times of India |agency=Times News Network |date=17 October 2019 |location=Mumbai, India}}{{cite news |title=Airlines operations to commence on October 15 in Palaly airport |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1101415/airlines-operations-to-commence-on-october-15-in-palaly-airport |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=The Sunday Times |date=5 September 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka |archive-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018042208/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1101415/airlines-operations-to-commence-on-october-15-in-palaly-airport |url-status=dead }}

Alliance Air was expected to run scheduled flights from Chennai to Jaffna three times a week from 1 November 2019.{{cite news |last1=Manikandan |first1=M. |title=Chennai-Jaffna air connectivity resumes after more than three decades |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chennai-jaffna-air-connectivity-resumes-after-more-than-three-decades/story-Xder5UHZJhFM9uMaosnboK.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=18 October 2019 |location=New Delhi, India}} However, on 1 November 2019 the CAA announced that the flights would begin on 10 November 2019.{{cite news |title=Alliance Air of India to start flights to Jaffna from Chennai from 10 Nov. |url=http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Alliance-Air-of-India-to-start-flights-to-Jaffna-from-Chennai-from-10-Nov/44-688864 |access-date=2 November 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=2 November 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |last1=Samarawickrama |first1=Chaturanga |title=Jaffna-Chennai air services from Nov.10: CAA |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Jaffna-Chennai-air-services-from-Nov-10-CAA/108-177114 |access-date=2 November 2019 |work=The Daily Mirror |date=1 November 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}} Alliance Air commenced thrice weekly flights from Chennai to Jaffna on 11 November 2019.{{cite news |last1=Samarawickrama |first1=Chaturanga |title=Jaffna-Chennai air travel commences |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front_page/Jaffna-Chennai-air-travel-commences/238-177632 |access-date=24 November 2019 |work=The Daily Mirror |date=12 November 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |title=Jaffna International Airport commences commercial flight operations |url=http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=213639 |access-date=24 November 2019 |work=The Island |date=12 November 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}{{cite news |title=JIA commences commercial flight operations |url=http://www.ft.lk/front-page/JIA-commences-commercial-flight-operations/44-689394 |access-date=24 November 2019 |work=Daily FT |date=12 November 2019 |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka}}

FitsAir had said that they would operate charter flights to Chennai from 8 November 2019 and charter flights to Tiruchirappalli International Airport from 10 November 2019. The Sri Lankan government has stated that the airport would also have flights to other Indian destinations - Bangalore, Cochin, Hyderabad and Mumbai.{{cite news |last1=Rajan |first1=M. C. |title=Flights soon from Sri Lanka's Jaffna to 4 Indian cities but not Chennai. Here's why |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/flights-soon-from-srilanka-s-jaffna-to-4-indian-cities-but-not-chennai-here-s-why/story-Ad5cSDmUzDvnIHVTRvtwrL.html |access-date=20 October 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=17 July 2019 |location=New Delhi, India}} Flights to Maldives have also been mooted. The runway is expected to be extended to 2,300 metres in phase 2. This will allow the airport to handle 150-seater aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Airbus A321, enabling flights to other parts of Asia and Europe. Phase 3 will see the runway extended to 3,200 metres, capable of accommodating 200-seater aircraft.

Flights were suspended after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, but resumed in December 2022 between Jaffna and Chennai.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=Direct flights between Jaffna & Chennai resume : Price details |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2022/12/12/direct-flight-operations-between-jaffna-chennai-resu/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=NewsWire |language=en-US}}

{{Airport destination list

| Air Senok | Charter: Colombo–Ratmalana{{cn|date=April 2025}}

| Alliance Air | Chennai{{cn|date=April 2025}}

| Cinnamon Air | Colombo–Bandaranaike

| FitsAir | Colombo–Ratmalana{{cite web|url=https://www.newswire.lk/2023/06/23/dp-aviation-to-operate-domestic-flights-to-jaffna-in-july/|title=DP Aviation to operate domestic flights to Jaffna in July|publisher=NewsWire|access-date=6 November 2023}}

| IndiGo | Chennai,{{cite web|url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/02/08/indigo-plans-to-add-more-flights-to-jaffna|publisher=Aviation A2Z |title=IndiGo Plans to Add More Flights to Jaffna, Sri Lanka|date=8 February 2025|access-date=11 April 2025}} Tiruchirappalli{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/indigo-to-launch-direct-flights-on-tiruchi-jaffna-sector-from-march-30/article69294682.ece|publisher=The Hindu|title=IndiGo to launch direct flights on Tiruchi-Jaffna sector from March 30|date=5 March 2025|access-date=5 March 2025}}

| IWS Aviation | Charter: Colombo–Ratmalana{{cn|date=April 2025}}}}

{{reflist}}

• {{URL|1=https://www.airport.lk/jaf/index|2=Official website of the Jaffna International Airport}}
• {{URL|1=https://www.airforce.lk/pages.php?pages=palaly|2=Sri Lanka Air Force Palaly}}

{{Northern Province, Sri Lanka topics}}

{{Airports in Sri Lanka}}

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Category:Airports in Sri Lanka

Category:Military installations in Northern Province, Sri Lanka

Category:Sri Lanka Air Force bases

Category:Transport buildings and structures in Jaffna District

Category:World War II sites in Sri Lanka

Category:Indian Peace Keeping Force