Direct Melbourne To Colombo Flights To Start In October

Picture: Tim Carrafa

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren today congratulated the airline on its decision to run a daily service out of Melbourne, and offer more than 100,000 seats on the route every year.

The announcement means there will soon be 30 international airlines flying in and out of Melbourne Airport.

The new service will start on 29 October 2017 and connect with SriLankan Airlines’ extensive network into India – one of the state’s largest and fastest growing tourism markets and a key source market for international students.

Victoria is home to the nation’s largest Sri Lankan community, with almost 44,000 people of Sri Lankan birth and heritage living in the state. Nearly 70 per cent of all Sri Lankan international students in Australia are enrolled in Victoria.

Victoria also has more visitors from Sri Lanka than any other state, with 18,000 Sri Lankans visiting Victoria last year – 60 per cent of all Sri Lankan tourists to Australia.

Victoria’s aviation industry is worth more than $1 billion to the state’s economy, which is why we’re working hard to attract new services, boost tourism and create jobs.