Jetstar's new route to one of Asia's coolest destinations takes off

Jetstar launched nonstop flights between Melbourne and Colombo on Tuesday, aiming to capitalize on surging Australian travel demand for Sri Lanka. The new service adds more than 50,000 additional return-trip seats per year, as Australian Bureau of Statistics data show 139,410 Australians visited Sri Lanka in the 12 months to June 2026—up 13% year-on-year and 38% versus the prior period, surpassing pre-COVID levels. Jetstar says the country’s recent stability and the exemption of Australians from tourism visa fees—replaced by a free 30-day electronic travel authorization—are supporting growth. Bookings average 13 days on return. Jetstar will operate the route three times weekly (JQ5/JQ6) with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, featuring refreshed business class seating upgrades to 44 seats, reduced economy capacity, paid streaming on personal devices, and paid Wi-Fi (free in business).