Australian airline Jetstar today launched the first direct low-fares flights between Sri Lanka and Australia, with its inaugural service touching down at Bandaranaike International Airport this evening and the first Colombo to Melbourne flight departing shortly after.
Flying three times a week, year-round, the new route aims to give travellers more than 100,000 low-fare seats a year between Colombo and Melbourne.
Jetstar has one-way fares from Colombo to Melbourne on sale from LKR 67770^. On sale from 7:30 AM IST today until 9:29 PM Monday 31 August for varying travel dates, unless sold out prior.
Jetstar CEO, Stephanie Tully:
“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.
“With Jetstar’s low fares, our new Melbourne to Colombo service will make our Australian and New Zealand network more accessible than ever for Sri Lankans.
“We’ve already seen strong demand for flights, and Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sri Lankan community, so we’re expecting the route to be popular with holidaymakers and those visiting family and friends.
“We’re looking forward to becoming a familiar sight at Bandaranaike.”
Hayleys Advantis Deputy Managing Director, Shano Sabar said the route addresses a long-standing gap in direct capacity between Sri Lanka and Australia.
“Until now, travelling between Colombo and Australia has meant connecting through a third country at a higher cost. Three weekly widebody services on a year-round schedule change that, with capacity that holds through the off season rather than only at peak.
“For Sri Lankans, this is affordable access to family in Victoria and, through Jetstar’s domestic network, onward to Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tasmania, Auckland and Queenstown on a single connection. For Sri Lanka, it opens a large outbound leisure market at a point when the tourism sector needs consistent inbound capacity. As Jetstar’s General Sales Agent here, our role is to support the route commercially and operationally so that it performs in both directions,” Mr. Sabar said.
The service will be flown by Jetstar’s fleet of 11 widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This year, Jetstar began upgrading its fleet of 787s with a full overhaul of the economy and business class cabins*.
The refit will more than double the number of business class seats and adds Wi-Fi, so customers can stream entertainment to their own devices.
A new lie-flat crew rest area will also let the aircraft fly for up to 16 hours, opening the door to even more long-haul destinations in the future.
For Sri Lankans visiting family and friends or holidaying in Australia, the new route is a direct and affordable way to make the trip.
Melbourne and more
Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city known for its coffee culture, art-lined laneways, world-class restaurants and world-renowned sporting events with the Australian Open and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix among them.
Jetstar’s expansive domestic network connects Melbourne to destinations across Australia and New Zealand, so travellers can book through to Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tasmania, Auckland, Queenstown and more with one connection.
Flight schedule**
| Flight | Route | Frequency | Depart | Arrive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JQ5 | Melbourne – Colombo | Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday | 12:00 | 17:50 |
| JQ6 | Colombo – Melbourne | Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday | 19:50 | 10:00+1 |
About Jetstar
As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group, Jetstar Airways forms an integral part of the Qantas Group’s two-brand strategy, operating in the leisure and value-based market.
Jetstar has a fleet of 97 aircraft which fly to destinations across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Together with Qantas, Jetstar offers more domestic and international flights than any other airline group in Australia.
* As the upgraded 787 are progressively rolled out, some flights will operate with upgraded aircraft and others with our existing 787 aircraft.
** Schedule valid for 25 August – 03 Oct 2026, other periods vary based on daylight savings.
^Sale ends 31 August 2026, 9.29pm IST, unless sold out prior. One way, includes airfare-related surcharges, fees, taxes and a Booking and Service fee of Rs. 2,600 per passenger, per flight and are based on bookings made at jetstar.com in Sri Lankan Rupees. A booking and service fee per passenger, per flight will apply. For Jetstar Australia flights departing before 2 February 2027, fares include 7kg carry-on bags. For flights on or after 2 February 2027, fares include one Underseat carry-on bag. Select travel dates apply. Payment options and fees may differ by currency. Offers are subject to terms and conditions.