The Sri Lankan national carrier, Mihin Lanka, is likely to commence operations from Colombo to Madurai in September.
According to Dr G. Vasudevan, former President, Travel Club, Madurai, the Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Piyankara Jayaratne, has assured a delegation from the Travel Club that the low-cost carrier is likely to launch operations during September. The assurance followed at the end of a recent meeting with a Travel Club delegation led by its current President, Mr B.S.G. Musthafa, during which the members presented in detail the market potential for Madurai-Colombo flight from the nine southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
The delegation also met the senior officials of Mihin Lanka including its Head of Operations, Mr.Rohana Perera, and were informed that the carrier was in the final stages of commencing operations to Madurai.
The Madurai airport has already been declared as ‘Customs Ready’ by the Union Ministry of Finance in January 2011. Most of the other infrastructures are already in place. The flight service, when it materialises, would give a economic boost to the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
This could also be a precursor to the region getting more international flights, which are a must for industrial growth, Mr.Vasudevan further said.
The delegation also met leading tour operators of Sri Lanka to promote tourism from Colombo to Madurai and vice-versa.
The Travel Club delegation also included the Secretary, Mr S. Senthilnathan, past President, Mr N. Sriram, and member, Mr S. Rasagopalan, he added.