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# British MP Launches Campaign for Direct London-Jaffna Flights
- URL: https://www.jaffnamonitor.com/featured/british-mp-launches-campaign-for-direct-london-jaffna-flights/
- Published: 2026-09-07T04:56:12.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-07T05:04:03.000Z
- Author: Jaffna Monitor
- Tags: JM Exclusive, September 2026

**LONDON —** British Labour lawmaker Gareth Thomas has launched a campaign for direct flights between London and Jaffna, calling on the British and Sri Lankan governments, airlines and airport operators to explore establishing a route aimed largely at serving Britain’s substantial Tamil diaspora.

Mr. Thomas, the member of Parliament for Harrow West, has launched a petition titled “Bring Direct Flights to Jaffna,” arguing that the absence of a direct connection places an unnecessary burden on British Tamils travelling to visit family in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

“British Tamils have strong family, cultural and community ties to Northern Sri Lanka,” the campaign says. “For many families in Harrow and across the UK, travelling to Jaffna means visiting relatives, attending weddings and funerals, taking part in religious festivals, and maintaining family connections across generations.”

There are currently no direct flights between London and Jaffna International Airport. The campaign notes that passengers can fly nonstop from London to Colombo but must then travel roughly 400 kilometers to Jaffna, a journey it says can take six to seven hours by road or rail.

That additional journey can be particularly difficult for elderly passengers, families travelling with young children and people returning for weddings, funerals and other important family occasions, according to the petition.

Mr. Thomas’s campaign argues that a direct service would do more than shorten travel times. It says such a connection could help families maintain ties across generations, make travel easier for elderly relatives and strengthen cultural and religious links between Britain’s Tamil communities and Northern Sri Lanka.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/aa/f0aaf7b7-6b61-437a-846a-1a80de683912/content/images/2026/09/british-mp-launches-campaign-f-f497af-1-1.jpg)

The petition also presents the proposed route as an economic opportunity for the north, arguing that direct international access could support tourism, investment and economic development in a region that remains less internationally connected than Colombo.

“We are calling on the UK Government, Sri Lankan authorities, airlines and London airports to work together to explore and support a viable direct flight service between London and Jaffna,” the petition says.

The campaign does not identify an airline that has agreed to operate the route or set out a timetable for beginning flights. Its immediate objective is instead to build public support and persuade governments, airlines and airport authorities to examine whether a London-Jaffna service would be commercially and operationally viable.

Any such service would also depend on Jaffna International Airport being able to accommodate the aircraft and operational requirements of a long-haul route between Sri Lanka and Britain — and, ultimately, on the NPP government’s willingness to develop the airport for such operations. Many Tamils have accused the government of showing insufficient commitment to developing the north’s two principal international gateways, Jaffna International Airport at Palaly and Kankesanthurai harbour, despite their potential to strengthen the region’s links with India and the wider world.

Mr. Thomas represents Harrow West, an area of Greater London with a significant Tamil community. His campaign material encourages supporters to sign the petition online and through QR codes being distributed locally.

The campaign is being promoted by Harrow Labour, according to material accompanying the petition.

**The petition can be signed on Mr. Thomas’s official website:**

[PETITION: Bring Direct Flights to Jaffna - Gareth Thomas MPHelp Connect British Tamils with Family in Northern Sri Lanka We are calling for a direct flight service between London and Jaffna International Airport. British Tamils have strong family, cultural and community ties to Northern Sri Lanka. For many families in Harrow and across the UK, travelling to Jaffna means visiting relatives, attending weddings and funerals, taking part in religious festivals, and maintaining family connections across generations. There are currently no direct flights between London and Jaffna. Passengers can…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/aa/f0aaf7b7-6b61-437a-846a-1a80de683912/content/images/icon/android-icon-192x192-1c96ac06-4b05-41c6-979d-b44824776fd2.png)Gareth Thomas MP![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/aa/f0aaf7b7-6b61-437a-846a-1a80de683912/content/images/thumbnail/Flights-Jaffna-1200x630-c-center-ba0adffe-f41b-4e04-97c3-2b837869cb4b.jpg)](https://gareththomas.org.uk/petition-bring-direct-flights-to-jaffna/?ref=jaffnamonitor.com)