By: Staff Writer
December 12, Colombo (LNW): Jetstar’s newly announced direct service between Melbourne and Colombo is expected to significantly strengthen travel demand, tourism flows and aviation competition between Australia and Sri Lanka, as the carrier prepares to operate the only low-cost non-stop link between the two countries starting 25 August 2026.
The move comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is rebuilding momentum and Australia has emerged as one of its fastest-growing long-haul visitor markets. Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the decision reflects both rising customer interest and the airline’s wider international expansion drive.
“This new route is a major step in our growth strategy. It creates an affordable pathway for Australians to experience Sri Lanka’s beaches, culture and heritage while supporting two-way tourism,” she said.
Industry analysts say the route could deliver a significant economic boost, with more than 100,000 budget-friendly seats annually expected to stimulate both leisure and diaspora travel.
They note that the lack of direct flights from Australian carriers has long been a gap in the market, often forcing travellers onto longer, costlier connections through Southeast Asian hubs.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus hailed the launch as a milestone that strengthens Victoria’s link to South Asia. She highlighted that Sri Lanka is among the region’s fastest-emerging destinations and said the new flights would support both tourism and family travel.
“Jetstar’s long-standing partnership with Terminal 4 has grown dramatically over the past decade. This new Colombo route reinforces Melbourne’s position as the airline’s main international base,” she said.
Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will operate the year-round service, are in the midst of a major overhaul. Beginning early next year, the airline will more than double its business-class capacity, improve economy seating, install Wi-Fi connectivity and modernise cabin interiors.
Additionally, the addition of a lie-flat crew rest module allows flights of up to 16 hours, enabling the airline to unlock more long-haul destinations beyond Colombo.
The airline has been on an aggressive expansion path, unveiling 14 new routes in 2025, nine of which are international. Over two years, Jetstar has added 13 aircraft, allowing the carrier to scale operations rapidly. The Colombo launch forms part of this broader aviation rebound.
Jetstar is also preparing for an unprecedented Christmas travel period, forecasting nearly six million passengers over December and January. Melbourne alone is expected to handle 1.7 million travellers during the summer peak.
The Colombo flights will run thrice weekly, with departures from Melbourne at 12:00, arriving in Colombo at 17:50, and returning from Colombo at 19:50, landing in Melbourne at 10:00 the next morning.
