Doubts over the upcoming Madurai – Colombo flight
South Indian trade bodies’ fear that the tensions between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka would hinder the commencement of the proposed fully fledged flight services between Madurai and Colombo, a media report said.
India’s Spice Jet earlier announced plans to start flights between Madurai and Colombo commencing on the 20th September.
According to India’s “The Hindu”, the trade bodies in Madurai has been campaigning for years to get international flights to the city, in a bid to boost economic activity in the region.
Madurai trade bodies have expressed concern that if the first overseas flight were to get delayed or scrapped, it would have long-term negative consequence for Madurai Airport getting international connectivity.
Meanwhile, B.S.G. Musthafa, president of Travel Club, has told India’s Hindu, following the travel warning imposed by the Sri Lankan government on Tamil Nadu, passenger traffic between Tamil Nadu and Colombo has seen a 40% drop.
A drop in visitors from Sri Lanka is expected to impact Tamil Nadu businesses such as textile, jewelers, surface transport, airline and handicrafts.
According to the report, each day, seven flights fly between Chennai and Colombo while another three flights travel between Tiruchi and Colombo.
S. Rethinavelu, senior president of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has urged the State Government to provide an assurance to Sri Lankan visitors that they would be given security and also that the trade activities would be safe.
