IndiGo expands Delhi-Colombo flights, joining SriLankan Airlines and Air India, boosting India-Sri Lanka connectivity, strengthening trade, tourism, and bilateral ties with nearly 27 weekly air services, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
India-Sri Lanka air connectivity has received a significant boost with IndiGo launching six weekly direct flights on the Delhi-Colombo route, underscoring growing ties between the two nations.
The move, announced by Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), comes alongside existing services operated by SriLankan Airlines, which flies twice daily, and Air India, which offers daily connections. In total, travellers now have access to nearly 27 weekly flights connecting the two capitals.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne, highlighted the development on X, stating: “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.”
Officials from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka noted that connectivity has become a central pillar of bilateral relations, spanning maritime, air, energy, trade, economic, financial, digital, and people-to-people links.
Several landmark initiatives have already materialised, including the commencement of ferry services between Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka in October 2023, the resumption of the Chennai-Jaffna air link in December 2022, and the launch of UPI QR-based payments in Sri Lanka in February 2024 via video conferencing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Additional projects under discussion include the Economic Land Corridor to improve land access to Trincomalee and Colombo, a multi-product pipeline connecting India and Sri Lanka, and a power grid interconnection to enhance energy cooperation.
During his bilateral visits to India in July 2023 and June 2024, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Indian government adopted the vision document “Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership”, highlighting enhanced connectivity and deeper economic collaboration as a shared priority.
The launch of additional IndiGo flights marks another step forward in strengthening ties, expanding travel options, and supporting the growing economic and cultural exchanges between the two neighbouring countries.
