February 09, Colombo (LNW): India’s largest budget airline, IndiGo, has announced plans to introduce direct flights between Bengaluru and Jaffna, marking a significant expansion of its operations in Sri Lanka.
This new route represents a shift in the airline’s strategy, moving beyond its traditional focus on Colombo and aiming to strengthen its presence at Sri Lanka’s secondary airport.
The non-stop flights will provide a convenient and time-efficient travel option for passengers, significantly improving connectivity between South India and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.
The airline recently engaged in discussions with Northern Province Governor Nandalalingam Vethanayagam, highlighting the growing demand for direct flights from Bengaluru to Jaffna.
At present, there are no direct flights to Jaffna from Bengaluru, with the only available service coming from Chennai. This has meant that a considerable number of people – including over 25,000 annual pilgrims, as well as business and leisure travellers – are forced to transit via Chennai or Colombo, leading to longer travel times and additional costs.
IndiGo’s direct service will alleviate these challenges by offering a non-stop option, providing a smoother and faster journey for passengers.
This new route is expected to cater not only to the Tamil diaspora in South India but also to Sri Lankan nationals, strengthening the links between these two regions.
The launch of non-stop flights from Bengaluru to Jaffna is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity, offering a seamless travel experience for both local and international travellers.
IndiGo has already established itself as the largest foreign carrier operating in Sri Lanka, with a robust network that includes 54 weekly flights between India and Sri Lanka.
The airline currently connects key Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai to Colombo. Notably, Chennai is the only city that is directly connected to two destinations in Sri Lanka, with IndiGo also operating flights to Jaffna.
The airline’s successful entry into the Chennai-Jaffna sector in September 2024, where it became only the second Indian carrier to operate on this route, appears to have set the stage for further expansion.
Encouraged by this success, IndiGo is now looking to offer direct flights from Bengaluru, leveraging the city as its largest hub in South India.
The new service will not only cater to direct passengers but will also offer one-stop connections to Jaffna from other major cities such as Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi, further improving accessibility.
