Australian airline Jetstar started direct low-fares flights between Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Melbourne, Australia, on August 25, 2026. The inaugural flight landed at Bandaranaike International Airport in the evening, and the first service from Colombo to Melbourne departed shortly after. The airline operates this route three times weekly throughout the year.
Fares and Aircraft Details
Jetstar’s new Colombo to Melbourne service offers more than 100,000 low-fare seats annually. One-way promotional fares start at LKR 67770. These fares went on sale from 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time on August 25, 2026, continuing until 9:29 PM on August 31, 2026, or until sold out. The flights
are operated using Jetstar’s fleet of 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which feature widebody cabins equipped for comfort on long-haul journeys.
Fleet Upgrades and Service Enhancements
Jetstar has commenced a full upgrade of its Boeing 787 fleet. The refurbishment includes a complete overhaul of the economy and business class cabins. The update will more than double the number of business class seats and add Wi-Fi service, allowing passengers to stream entertainment on personal devices. Additionally, a new lie-flat crew rest area extends the operational range of the aircraft to flights up to 16 hours, enabling long-haul service expansions.
Route Connectivity and Market Impact
The direct flight connects Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo
to Melbourne, Victoria, home to Australia’s largest Sri Lankan community. From Melbourne, travelers can easily connect to other Jetstar destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Tasmania, Auckland, and Queenstown on a single ticket. Sydney and Brisbane are major Australian cities, while Auckland and Queenstown extend the reach into New Zealand.
Shano Sabar, Deputy Managing Director of Hayleys Advantis, Jetstar’s General Sales Agent in Sri Lanka, stated the route fills a long-standing gap in direct air access between the two countries. He explained that before this service, travelers needed to connect through third countries, increasing travel time and cost. The new
three weekly year-round widebody flights maintain capacity even through off-season periods. For Sri Lankan travelers, this creates affordable access to family in Victoria and expands leisure travel opportunities to Australia and New Zealand.
A Jetstar spokesperson commented on strong demand for the route, noting the strategic importance of Victoria’s Sri Lankan community and the service’s appeal to holidaymakers and family visitors. The airline expressed anticipation of becoming a regular carrier at Bandaranaike International Airport, supporting connectivity between Sri Lanka and Australia.
