Australian low-cost airline Jetstar has launched its first direct service between Sri Lanka and Australia, establishing a new year-round air connection expected to add more than 100,000 affordable seats annually between Colombo and Melbourne.
The inaugural flight arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on 25 August, followed by the first scheduled service from Colombo to Melbourne, marking Jetstar’s official entry into the Sri Lankan aviation market.
The new route operates three times a week using wide-body aircraft, providing a lower-cost alternative for travellers between the two countries. Previously, passengers often had to connect through a third country when travelling between Sri Lanka and Australia.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the airline had already experienced strong interest in the new service, particularly due to the sizeable Sri Lankan community in Victoria.
“We’re so excited to be able to begin operating to Sri Lanka and to give Sri Lankans and Australians a low-cost connection between our two countries,” Tully said.
As part of its introductory promotion, Jetstar is offering one-way fares from Colombo to Melbourne starting at Rs. 67,770. The promotional offer is available until 31 August, subject to seat availability and applicable travel dates.
Unlike seasonal services that operate only during periods of peak demand, the new route will operate throughout the year. This could provide Sri Lanka with a more stable source of international air capacity, particularly during traditionally weaker tourism periods.
The new direct connection is also expected to improve accessibility between Sri Lanka and Australia while supporting tourism, business travel, and stronger links between the two countries.
Sri Lanka Targets Major Cruise Tourism Growth, Aims to Establish Colombo as a Regional Hub
Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to establish Colombo as a preferred cruise tourism hub in the Indian Ocean, with the Government and private sector exploring new strategies to attract more international cruise operators and encourage passengers to extend their stays in the country.
Ocean Cruise Global Accounts Director Thushaan Kunabalasingam, who works closely with leading international cruise operators, said the current environment offered significant opportunities for investment and stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors.
“Sri Lanka has the potential to be a key hotspot for cruise tourism in the Indian Ocean. With proper coordination between ports, travel agencies and hotels, Colombo can emerge as a preferred destination,” Kunabalasingam told the Daily FT.
During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, Kunabalasingam held discussions with Government Ministers and senior officials on strengthening the country’s cruise tourism sector and increasing the number of international cruise calls to Colombo.
Discussions with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) focused on the possibility of accommodating larger cruise vessels carrying between 5,000 and 7,000 passengers. Kunabalasingam noted that several major cruise operators, including those that regularly visit ports in India, currently bypass Colombo despite Sri Lanka’s strategic location along key Indian Ocean routes.
He is also working to strengthen collaboration between the Cinnamon Hotels Group and international cruise operators, with the aim of developing an integrated tourism offering designed to attract high-spending cruise passengers.
The proposed approach could help Sri Lanka capture greater economic value from cruise tourism by encouraging passengers to spend more time in Colombo and explore the country’s attractions, hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related services.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka Eyes Global Tourism Growth After First Year
