India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo Airlines (6E), has announced plans to introduce direct flights from Bengaluru (BLR) to Jaffna, strengthening its presence in Sri Lanka.
This move marks a strategic shift from the airline’s usual focus on Colombo, enhancing air connectivity between South India and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. The non-stop service will provide a more convenient and time-saving travel option, reducing the need for transits through Chennai or Colombo.
IndiGo representatives recently met with Northern Province Governor Nandalalingam Vethanayagam to discuss growing passenger demand for direct Bengaluru-Jaffna flights. Currently, Jaffna is only connected to Chennai, despite significant travel demand—including over 25,000 annual pilgrims—between the two regions.
As the largest foreign carrier in Sri Lanka, IndiGo operates 54 weekly flights between India and Sri Lanka, connecting Colombo with Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The airline entered the Chennai-Jaffna sector in September 2024, becoming the second Indian carrier on this route. Its success in this market has likely driven the decision to expand further.
With Bengaluru serving as IndiGo’s largest hub in South India, the new route will also offer one-stop connections from cities like Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi, improving access to Jaffna for a broader range of travelers.
