Jetstar has commenced a new direct service between Melbourne and Colombo, marking an important milestone as the first Australian airline to operate a direct service between the two cities. The inaugural Boeing 787 flight departed Melbourne Airport on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with the new service operating three times a week.
Ahead of the commencement of the new route, a press conference was held at Melbourne Airport, where Consul General of Sri Lanka, Pradeepa Saram, and Boeing Fleet Manager at Jetstar Airways, Captain Paul Weatherstone, addressed the media on the significance of the new service and its potential to further enhance connectivity between the two countries.
Joining the press conference, SVP & Head of Commercial at Melbourne Airport, Michael Cullen, stated that the newly launched Melbourne–Colombo route was Jetstar’s 10th international destination and congratulated the Jetstar team on establishing the new connection.
Adding a special dimension to the inaugural journey, one of the flight’s co-pilots is of Sri Lankan heritage. Her participation in the inaugural flight reflected the strong people-to-people connections underpinning the enduring relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka.
The new service is expected to contribute to the growth of tourism by making Sri Lanka more accessible to Australian travellers and the Sri Lankan community in Australia. The direct service will also facilitate greater movement of business travellers, investors, students and families, supporting stronger commercial and social links between the two countries.
SriLankan Airlines has been the primary airline operating direct services between Colombo and Melbourne since 2017, currently offering seven flights per week. With the commencement of Jetstar’s new service, the number of direct flights between Melbourne and Colombo will increase to 10 flights per week, providing passengers with greater choice, convenience and connectivity.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Melbourne
29 August 2026
