Travelling between Colombo and Jaffna has got a lot easier thanks to a new domestic flight service recently introduced by FitsAir.
Jaffna in the north of Sri Lanka is a bastion of Hindu tradition, art and creative culture. It’s an intriguing and thoroughly rewarding place to discover Sri Lankan Tamil culture.
This cultural melting pot is definitely worthy of your time, making Jaffna a “must-see” on any Sri Lankan itinerary. Time is precious and travelling overland can get a little tedious at six hours by train or (395km) by road, making it impossible for visitors on a short holiday to explore Jaffna.
However, with the recent introduction of a new domestic flight between Ratmalana Airport in Colombo and Palaly in Jaffna (two historical airfields built by the Royal Air Force during World War II) the long journey has been reduced to an hour.
In October 2019 these two airfields were refurbished and declared as International Airports.
Fight time and operating days of FitsAir
The 72-seater flight is operated by FitsAir a company that has been in the airline business since 1997.
The flights are scheduled three days a week – Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, departing to Jaffna from Ratmalana at 07.30 and arriving at Palaly Airport in Jaffna at 08.30.
The return flight departs Jaffna at 09.30 for Ratmalana arriving at 10.30.
Cost
The one-hour flight one way costs Rs7,500 or Rs15,000 return.
Luggage
Passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on item weighing no more than 7kgs. A fee of Rs750 is charged for 20kgs and Rs100 for every additional kilogramme.
Getting your ticket
There is no internet-based online reservation system at the moment. So you will have to telephone +94 777 444466 or email [email protected] for bookings.
The emailed flight ticket could be printed up or shown off your mobile phone at Ratmalana Airport. Carrying your passport is a must for identification purposes.
Ratmalana Airport
It’s 26 minutes (15.9 km) drive from Colombo southwards along the Colombo – Galle A2 road. (
Directions).
During 1934 – 1964 the Ratmalana airport operated as country’s main air terminal before the government built the new Bandaranaike International Airport north of the city, to replace Ratmalana. The new airport was completed in 1967 and took over all international services to and from Sri Lanka. Ratmalana was left with a relatively small demand for domestic air travel in the country.
The check-in process is simple and easy at Ratmalana Airport. It’s not crowded and has all the basic facilities. There’s no payment involved in check-in unless you have excess baggage.
The waiting area has a view is overlooking the runway. Passengers are taken for the flight in a shuttle bus.
The Flight – Colombo to Jaffna on FitsAir
Even though the flight journey is an hour, the hospitality in this FitsAir operated fight is top-notch. Passengers are greeted the traditional Sri Lanka way with the phrase ‘Vannakkam’ (in Tamil) or ‘ayubowan’ (in Sinhalese), which means “may you be blessed with long life” by the flight attendants. Meals and fruit drinks are served on board.
The twin-engine propeller plane is well soundproofed, comfortable with ample legroom and flight safety features are demonstrated.
A Quick change
At 14,000ft in the sky, the view is incredible and sure to make you think that Sri Lanka is a land truly blessed by Nature.
With the birds-eye-view of the stunning scenery below, you can see a quick change in the landscape, country waterways, and style of buildings based on culture and history.
Jaffna Airport
The Palaly Airport in Jaffna is in the northernmost tip of the Island, having the Palk Strait (Indian Ocean) as its border on one side.
Palaly to Jaffna is a 30-minute (17.4 km) drive. There are no standby taxis. However, the help desk at the Jaffna Palaly Airport will arrange transport on request.
It’s interesting to learn that after Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948 the Jaffna Palaly Airport was used as Sri Lanka’s second international airport for flights to southern India.
Return Jaffna to Colombo on flight
Served on the return flight to Colombo are traditional Jaffna snacks with the distinct flavour that is different from the rest of the country’s cooking, being closer to south Indian cuisine in taste.
The one-hour flight is definitely worth the time and the money, giving you the chance to enjoy the breath-taking scenery of this beautiful island from the air enhanced by FitsAir inflight hospitality.
Sri Lanka Holiday Guru Tip
Make sure to have cash with you, as there are no ATM facilities at the Ratmalana Airport and no canteen
The Jaffna Palaly Airport also has no ATM facilities nor a canteen.
