Sri Lanka's northern gateway, connecting Jaffna to the world.
Opened
1940
Location
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Jaffna International Airport, also known as Palaly Airport, is located in Palaly, north of Jaffna city in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. It is the primary airport serving the Jaffna Peninsula and the broader northern region of the country.
The airport has historical roots as a military airfield used by the Sri Lanka Air Force during the decades-long civil conflict. Following the end of the war in 2009, the facility was developed to resume and expand civilian operations, with international services launching in subsequent years.
The airport handles domestic and select international routes, playing a significant role in reconnecting the war-affected Northern Province with the rest of Sri Lanka and the world, particularly serving the large Tamil diaspora.
Terminals
The airport has a single terminal building designed to handle both domestic and international passengers.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include taxis and private vehicles connecting the airport to Jaffna city, approximately 10 kilometres to the south.
Airlines here
SriLankan Airlines operates domestic services connecting Jaffna to Colombo, and international carriers including FitsAir have served routes to India.
Notable facts
- ›The airport was historically known as Palaly Airport and served as a Sri Lanka Air Force base during the civil war.
- ›International services to India, particularly Chennai, have been operated to connect the region with the Tamil diaspora.
- ›The airport received significant infrastructure upgrades as part of post-war reconstruction efforts in Northern Sri Lanka.
- ›It is one of the few international airports in Sri Lanka outside of Colombo.
- ›Civilian operations were suspended during much of the civil conflict and were gradually restored after 2009.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.