A low-cost direct flight service connecting Australia and Sri Lanka is set to commence from August 2026, with Australian airline Jetstar planning to operate direct flights between Melbourne and Colombo.
According to official sources, Jetstar will operate three flights per week on the Melbourne–Colombo route, with services scheduled to begin on August 25, 2026. The launch follows discussions held in Sri Lanka in September 2025 between airport and airline authorities and Jetstar representatives.
The airline is expected to issue more than 100,000 low-cost tickets annually under the new service, offering affordable travel options to both domestic and international passengers.
Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, is currently recognised as the lowest-cost airline in the Asia-Pacific region, operating nearly 4,000 flights per week to over 80 destinations.
The Melbourne–Colombo service will be operated using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Announcing the new route, Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Tully stated that the direct connection would enable more Australians to travel conveniently to Sri Lanka.
The introduction of this affordable air service is expected to significantly boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector while also providing greater convenience for Sri Lankans residing in Australia to visit their home country.
