After the rather long gap of 36 years, the 1st flight service from Tamil Nadu to Yazhppanam (Sri Lanka) started today (Thursday, 17th October).
Due to Internal War in Sri Lanka, the flight service to Palai Airport at Yazhppanam was stopped in 1983.
After the internal war ended in 2009, the renovation work on the Yazhppanam airport commenced. A total of Rs 225 Crores was invested for this renovation of the airport. Sri Lanka contributed Rs. 195 Crores. India offered financial assistance for Rs. 30 Crores.
Thus, after a gap of 36 years, the flight service from Tamil Nadu to Yazhppanam commenced today (17th October).
Air India’s Alliance Air aircraft took off from Chennai to Yazhppanam. Plans are afoot in the 1st phase to commence flights from Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Chennai, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram to Yazhppanam.
The airport in Palali has been renovated and has been named ‘Yazhppanam International Airport’.