In a move being widely welcomed by the tourism industry, Air India has introduced direct flights linking Varanasi with Colombo. The twice a week service is operated by 180-seater Airbus 320 neo, in a one class, all-economy configuration.

The service will help the large Buddhist traffic from the island nation to come to the ancient city of Varanas, which is close to places like Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, and Saravasti – places connected with the life of Lord Buddha.

In the reverse direction, many Hindus would like to visit Sri Lanka to see places connected with Lord Rama.

These flights have been eagerly awaited by travel agents, tour operators, and pilgrims who found connectivity so far to be poor.

The new service is also in line with the Indian policy of closer ties with neighboring countries.

The all-economy class travel is to suit the mostly budget pilgrims and tourists who come from Sri Lanka, unlike from Southeast Asia, from where the traffic is more well-to-do.