Jetstar captures Australian holiday growth as SriLankan eyes Perth

Jetstar captured nearly a fifth of Australia’s tourist traffic to Sri Lanka during its first full month on the Melbourne–Colombo route, using much of the growth while SriLankan Airlines carried about the same number of Australian visitors, data from SLTDA shows. In September, arrivals not listed among SLTDA’s named carriers accounted for 18.78% of 10,951 Australians, up from 0.92% in July. Growth from Melbourne boosted Jetstar’s share, with direct departures rising to 4,256 from 2,111, while routings through Singapore and Kuala Lumpur fell. Jetstar’s gains appear to have come mainly from Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. SriLankan flew an estimated 4,720 Australians in September after increasing Colombo–Melbourne service to 10 weekly flights.