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Jetstar has announced it will offer flights from Australia to Sri Lanka for the first time in August next year.
The company is expected to launch the service from Melbourne to the South Asian nation’s capital, Colombo, from 25 August next year.
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If successful, the airline would be the first Australian airline to operate the route, flying three times a week between Melbourne and Colombo with potentially more than 100,000 seats a year.
Stephanie Tully, chief executive of Jetstar, said the airline’s Melbourne to Colombo route will give Australians a new, direct and affordable way to travel more to Sri Lanka.
“Colombo is an incredible destination, and from August next year, we’re excited to be making it easier for Aussies to experience everything the beautiful country of Sri Lanka has to offer,” Tully said.
“This new route out of our home base of Melbourne is part of a huge growth phase for Jetstar. We’ve added new destinations, more aircraft and we’re continuing to expand our international network to give travellers even more choice and opportunities to take off for less.”
The year-round service will be operated by Jetstar’s fleet of 11 widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are scheduled to begin upgrades from early next year to overhaul both the economy and business class cabins.
The interior refit includes more than doubling the number of business class seats and installing Wi-Fi for customers to stream entertainment to their own devices.
The addition of a new lie-flat crew rest area could allow flights of up to 16 hours. The first of the upgraded aircraft is due to touchdown in Melbourne in late March 2026.
Lorie Argus, chief executive of Melbourne Airport, said Jetstar’s new flights to Sri Lanka came as the airline celebrates 10 years since the opening of Terminal 4.
“We’re thrilled to see Sri Lanka, one of the region’s fastest-growing destinations, become Jetstar’s 10th international destination from Melbourne,” according to Argus.
“More Jetstar flights mean more legendary low fares, making it easier than ever for Victorians to explore this part of the world for leisure or to visit family and relatives.
“We’re marking a major milestone as we celebrate a decade since Jetstar moved into its home at Terminal 4 and it’s fantastic to see how our partnership has strengthened. A decade on, we’re proud to be Jetstar’s largest hub.”
