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IndiGo Expands Delhi-Colombo Route, Boosting India-Sri Lanka Air Connectivity

IndiGo has commenced six weekly direct flights between Delhi and Colombo, significantly expanding the air corridor. Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India highlighted this as part of growing connectivity, with three carriers now operating approximately 27 weekly flights on the route. Bilateral ties heavily focus on multiple connectivity areas, including maritime, energy, digital, and people-to-people links. Key initiatives include ferry services, the resumption of the Chennai-Jaffna air link, and the launch of UPI-based payments in Sri Lanka.

Key Points: IndiGo Launches Delhi-Colombo Flights, Enhancing India-Sri Lanka Ties

  • IndiGo launches 6 weekly Delhi-Colombo flights
  • Three carriers now offer ~27 weekly flights on route
  • Connectivity is a main focus of bilateral ties
  • Ferry, air links & UPI payments are key projects
  • Economic partnership vision adopted in 2023
2 min read

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India highlights growing connectivity as IndiGo increases flights to nation

IndiGo starts 6 weekly Delhi-Colombo flights, joining Air India & SriLankan Airlines. High Commissioner highlights growing bilateral connectivity.

"The Delhi-Colombo air corridor just got bigger. - Mahishini Colonne"

Colombo, March 31

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne highlighted growing India-Sri Lanka connectivity as IndiGo launched more flights to the country.

The Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday announced that the airline now operates six flights every week on this Delhi-Colombo route.

Colonne said in a post on X, "The Delhi-Colombo air corridor just got bigger. IndiGo launches 6x weekly direct flights from today, joining SriLankan Airlines (2 daily) and Air India (daily) on this route. Three carriers. ~27 weekly flights. Growing India-Sri Lanka connectivity."

In a post on X, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said, "We are pleased to announce that IndiGo has further strengthened its connectivity to Sri Lanka with the launch of direct flights between Delhi and Colombo. Commenced on 29 March 2026, the airline now operates six flights every week on this Delhi-Colombo route."

As per Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Connectivity has emerged as the main focus area of our bilateral ties, including maritime connectivity, air connectivity, energy & power connectivity, trade, economic & financial connectivity, digital connectivity and people to people connectivity. Important projects under this mechanism include commencement of ferry services between Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka (October 2023); resumption of air link between Chennai and Jaffna (since December 2022); and launch of UPI QR based payments in Sri Lanka (virtually launched by PM and then President Ranil Wickremesinghe via video conferencing in February 2024). Other notable connectivity initiatives under discussion include Economic Land Corridor, for developing land access to Trincomalee and Colombo; multi-product pipeline connecting India and Sri Lanka and the power grid interconnection.

Earlier, the then President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India in July 2023 (bilateral visit) and in June 2024 (to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new Government following Parliamentary Elections in India). A vision document titled "Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India -Sri Lanka Economic Partnership vision", centred around enhanced connectivity and deeper economic partnership was adopted during July 2023 visit.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good step for regional connectivity. But I hope this also translates to more job opportunities and economic benefits for people in both countries, not just airlines and big businesses. The power grid and pipeline projects sound promising for long-term stability.
A
Arjun K
As someone from Tamil Nadu, the ferry to Kankesanthurai and the Chennai-Jaffna air link are very welcome. It reconnects historical and cultural ties. Hope the fares are kept reasonable so families can travel easily.
S
Sarah B
Increased flights are great, but I have a respectful criticism. The article mentions a lot of "vision" and "discussion." We need to see these projects completed on time and within budget. Connectivity is more than just announcements.
V
Vikram M
~27 flights a week between Delhi and Colombo is impressive growth. This is how you build a strong neighborhood policy. Next, please work on simplifying the visa process further. A visa-on-arrival or e-visa for tourists would be perfect.
K
Kavya N
UPI in Sri Lanka is a masterstroke! It makes travel so much easier for Indians. No more worrying about currency exchange for small purchases. Hope they expand it to more merchants. More connectivity in all forms is the way forward for South Asia.

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