Jetstar will launch Australia’s only direct low-cost flights from Melbourne to Colombo, Sri Lanka, in August 2026. The airline will operate the route three times a week, offering over 100,000 low-fare seats annually.
The year-round service will use Jetstar’s fleet of 11 widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are being upgraded to enhance both economy and business class cabins. The upgrades include more than doubling the number of business class seats, installing Wi-Fi for streaming entertainment, and adding a lie-flat crew rest area to enable long-haul flights of up to 16 hours. The first upgraded aircraft is expected to arrive in Melbourne in late March 2026.
Tickets for the new route go on sale today at midday (AEDT), with a 24-hour Route Launch Sale offering one-way fares from Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Colombo starting at just $315^.
The launch of Melbourne–Colombo flights comes during a major growth phase for Jetstar, which has introduced 26 new routes and added 13 aircraft over the past two years. In 2025 alone, the airline announced 14 new routes, nine of them international. Jetstar is also celebrating 10 years of domestic operations from Melbourne’s Terminal 4, having carried over 50 million passengers through the terminal.
The new route coincides with Jetstar’s busiest holiday season, with forecasts indicating almost six million passengers across its Australian, New Zealand, Japan, and international network during December and January. Melbourne alone is expected to see a record 1.7 million passengers over the summer peak.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the Melbourne–Colombo flights will provide Australians with a direct and affordable way to explore Sri Lanka. She emphasized that the route is part of Jetstar’s ongoing expansion, offering travellers more destinations, aircraft, and low-cost travel opportunities.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus welcomed the announcement, highlighting Sri Lanka as Jetstar’s 10th international destination from Melbourne. She noted that more flights and low fares will make it easier for Victorians to travel for leisure or to visit family, marking a milestone as Jetstar celebrates a decade at Terminal 4.
^Sale ends 12.00pm AEDT Tuesday, 9 December 2025, unless sold out. Excludes checked bags. Prices apply to selected payment methods and travel dates. Flights are subject to government and regulatory approval.
