20 October 2023 02:00 am Views - 1595
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on an inspection visit to the Palali airport
In a bid to meet the growing demand for international and domestic air travel, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, has given the green light for a significant upgrade to passenger facilities at Palali Airport.
The decision comes after a special inspection visit to the airport on October 16, where the Minister witnessed the increasing number of passengers arriving and departing from this strategically located airport.
Palali Airport currently operates as an international airport, serving as a crucial gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula. India’s Alliance Air currently operates daily flights from Chennai, bringing in around 60 passengers per flight.
Additionally, IndiGo airline from India is gearing up to commence flights between Chennai and Palali, further boosting international connectivity in the region.
Alongside these international flights, there are also domestic services operated by DP Aviation and Cinnamon Air. Four aircraft from each airline currently operate weekly flights from Ratmalana Airport and Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport, catering to the increasing number of travellers.
With the anticipation of a surge in operations, Minister de Silva stressed the need for substantial improvements in both the arrival and departure terminals at Palali Airport. Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited officials have estimated that these upgrades will come with a price tag of approximately Rs.200 million.
The proposed programme is set to encompass a comprehensive enhancement of airport infrastructure. This includes expanding the existing passenger terminals, constructing a state-of-the-art duty-free shopping complex to cater to the burgeoning tourist population, upgrading sanitary facilities for the convenience of passengers, and improving facilities for immigration and customs officials to ensure efficient processes.