SLAF Palaly (Jaffna International Airport)

Sri Lanka Air Force Palaly, co-located with Jaffna International Airport, is situated in Palaly near Kankesanthurai, north of Jaffna. The facility was established by the British Royal Air Force during World War II. RAF Squadrons 160, 203, 292, and 354, along with air-sea rescue units, were deployed at the airfield during and immediately after the conflict. Following the war, management transferred to the Department of Civil Aviation. Air Ceylon subsequently operated services from the airfield to Colombo, Trincomalee, Madras, and Tiruchirappalli using Douglas DC-3, Avro HS-748, and Nord 262 aircraft.

The Sri Lanka Air Force established a detachment at the airfield in 1976, which was designated an Air Field Unit in January 1982. The site served as a military installation throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War. Following the July 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, the Indian Peace Keeping Force used the airfield for troop transit between India and Sri Lanka. During periods when land routes to the region were obstructed, the airbase provided an air connection to Colombo, with SLAF Helitours conducting passenger and logistics operations using leased Soviet-era aircraft.

The site maintains a dual military and civilian role. The civilian operations are managed by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, alongside the SLAF Palaly military installation. Airfield infrastructure includes a passenger terminal, a control tower, an apron, taxiways, air navigation systems, an office complex, and fire brigade facilities. Commercial and charter operations are conducted by carriers including IndiGo, FitsAir, Air Senok, and IWS Aviation, with routes connecting to Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and Colombo-Ratmalana. Hosted aircraft types historically and currently operating from the facility include the ATR 72-600, Fokker F27-500, and Cessna Grand Caravan.