India’s National Carrier Air India has begun non-stop services between the scared city of Varanasi and Colombo.

The 180-seater inaugural A320 flight from Varanasi was accorded a ceremonial water salute as it landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday.

Air India said the flight will herald a new era in aviation and tourism especially for pilgrims between the two countries.

The twice weekly flights will operate on Fridays and Sundays as per the following schedule.

Departure from Varanasi 1235 hours and arrival in Colombo at 1555 hours.

Departure from Colombo 1655 hours and arrival in Varanasi at 2020 hours.

Varanasi is the holiest of seven sacred religious cities (Saptha Puri) Saranath where englightend one Buddha gave his first discourse to five ascetics is just 10 kilometers away. The city on the banks of River Ganges is dotted with over 87 Ghats and is home to 23,000 temples. The famous ones being Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and the Durga Temple. The city also boasts of world renowned Benaras Hindu University.

Air India already operates daily flights between Chennai and Colombo and Delhi and Colombo.

Air India occupies a special place in the global and Indian aviation scenario. It pioneered the aviation in India and its history is synonymous with the history of civil aviation in India. Air India is not a mere airline that transports passengers, baggage and cargo. It is a multi-faceted organisation.

The aviation infrastructure it has created over the years is a testimony of its contribution. Apart from servicing of all its aircraft in-house with its own engineering facilities, Air India also undertakes ground handling services of many airlines in many cities in India.

Air India has grown to become a mega international airline with a network of 72 domestic and 45 international destinations across the USA, Europe, Australia, Far-East and South-East Asia and the Gulf. The airline’s domestic network covers destinations, including far-flung areas of the North-East, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Air India, today, flies one of the youngest, state-of-the-art, fleet of aircraft comprising a mix of the wide-body Boeing B777s, B747s, its latest acquisition- the B787 Dreamliner and the narrow body Airbus A321s, A320s and A319 aircraft.

Source : http://www.ft.lk/article/633958/Air-India-connects-Colombo-and-Varanasi-with-non-stop-flight