Jetstar is set to transform air connectivity between Australia and Sri Lanka with the launch of its first-ever direct low-cost service from Melbourne to Colombo, beginning 25 August 2026.
The move positions the carrier as the first Australian airline to operate direct flights on this route, offering more than 100,000 affordable seats annually and opening a new chapter in bilateral tourism and travel.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully described the new route as a landmark moment for the airline’s international expansion. “Colombo is an incredible destination, and from August next year, we’re excited to make it easier and more affordable for Australians to explore the beauty of Sri Lanka,” she said.
Tully added that the route forms part of a broader period of growth, which includes new destinations, upgraded aircraft and an expanded flight network designed to “give travellers more choice and the ability to take off for less.”
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus welcomed the announcement as the airport and Jetstar celebrate 10 years of operations at Terminal 4. Argus noted that Sri Lanka has become one of the region’s fastest-growing destinations.
“More Jetstar flights mean more low fares and more opportunities for Victorians to explore the worldor reconnect with family across South Asia,” she said. Melbourne remains Jetstar’s largest hub.
The service will run three times a week using Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, which is undergoing a significant upgrade early next year. The refurbishment includes more than doubling business-class capacity, installing in-flight Wi-Fi, and modernising cabin interiors to improve long-haul comfort.
A new lie-flat crew rest facility allowing flights up to 16 hours—will also extend Jetstar’s ability to operate longer international routes in future. The first upgraded aircraft is expected to arrive in Melbourne by March 2026.
To mark the launch, Jetstar opened ticket sales on Monday with a 24-hour Route Launch Sale, offering one-way fares as low as $315.
The introduction of the Colombo route coincides with one of Jetstar’s most active expansion phases in its 22-year history. Over the past two years alone, the carrier has announced 26 new routes and taken delivery of 13 new aircraft, nine of the routes being international in 2025.
Jetstar is also preparing for its biggest travel season on record, expecting nearly six million passengers across its international and domestic networks in December and January—including a record 1.7 million through Melbourne.
Under the published schedule, Melbourne flights will depart at 12:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, reaching Colombo at 17:50. Return flights will leave Colombo at 19:50, arriving in Melbourne at 10:00 the next day.
Leave your comments
Login to post a comment
Post comment as a guest