Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India has gone international with the launch of its service between Chennai and Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Flights on this sector have resumed almost after 40 years, following the civil war. Additionally, Alliance Air also becomes the first carrier to operate flights to and from Jaffna.
Onboard the maiden flight, which flew on October 17, were Ashwani Lohani, chairman and managing director of Air India, and C.S. Subbiah, chief executive officer, Alliance Air. The flight landed a little after president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated the airport in the presence of prime minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other dignitaries.
Expressing views on this momentous occasion, Air India tweeted:
India is one of the largest source markets for Sri Lanka in terms of tourism and trade and therefore efforts are being taken by the governments of both the regions to strengthen this bilateral corporation. Elaborating on this, the High Commission of India in Colombo, Sri Lanka said in an official tweet, “India- Sri Lanka relationship surges ahead. Inaugural Alliance Air flight lands at the Jaffna International Airport from Chennai. India remains committed to people-oriented connectivity projects in Sri Lanka including increased flights both ways to help tourist inflow.”
Image Source: @IndiainSL (Twitter)
