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The Chennai-Colombo route, with which Jet Airways ventured overseas, is all set to be suspended by the airline.
Jet had launched its international operations in 2004 with much fanfare on this route.
The private carrier will operate the last flight on the Chennai-Colombo route in the early hours of January 2, as per its latest schedule.
A Jet Airways spokesperson said: “This move is a part of our route rationalisation programme where the focus is on profitable routes”.
The development has come as a surprise to some analysts given that two the cities are trade hubs with historical linkages.
However, others believe the route’s profitability has been eroding for some time now thanks to competing services offered by low cost carriers such as SpiceJet and Mihin Lanka.
Jet has been rationalising its unprofitable routes over the last few quarters in order to reduce the mounting losses.
Several international flights originating from Chennai have been suspended by it in the last few years.
This includes Jet’s direct flight to Brussels, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.
The Chennai-Colombo route is the first route to be axed after Abu Dhabi-based Etihad checked in as the 24 per cent owner of Jet as part of a more than Rs 2,000 crore deal which was closed a few days ago.
The Colombo route is now serviced by a Boeing 738 with flight numbers 9W 252 and 9W 253.
Passengers booked on this route after January 2 will be rebooked on other carriers, the Jet spokesperson said.
Jet’s Mumbai-Colombo flight will continue as per the flight schedule on the carrier’s Web site.
> adith.charlie@thehindu.co.in
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