A new chapter in India-Sri Lanka air connectivity began on Thursday as the inaugural direct flight between Ahmedabad and Colombo took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), providing Gujarat with a direct link to the Sri Lankan capital.
Operated by FitsAir, the new route is expected to facilitate smoother travel for tourists, business travellers, and members of the Indian and Sri Lankan diaspora, while further strengthening bilateral ties between the two neighbouring nations.
The launch of the service coincided with the introduction of the “Chalo Colombo, Haalo Sri Lanka” campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting tourism, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections between India and Sri Lanka. The inaugural event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Sri Lankan cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who participated in the celebrations marking the commencement of the new international route.
The ceremony featured traditional lamp-lighting, the presentation of the first boarding pass to an inaugural passenger, cake-cutting, and commemorative photo sessions to mark the occasion. Airport officials said the direct flight service is expected to significantly improve accessibility between western India and Sri Lanka, while also creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, and commercial cooperation.
The Ahmedabad-Colombo route further expands the city’s growing international network, reflecting the steady rise in international passenger traffic and demand for global connectivity from Gujarat in recent years.