SriLankan Airlines to increase Melbourne flights to 10 per week

Colombo, March 11 (Daily Mirror) - SriLankan Airlines has announced plans to increase its weekly flights between Colombo and Melbourne to 10 services, effective from August 2, in response to growing travel demand.

The airline said the expansion aims to strengthen its connectivity with Australia, which has recently emerged as one of the fastest-growing inbound tourism markets to Sri Lanka. The growth is largely driven by leisure travellers and visits by family and friends.

Under the new schedule, three additional flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Colombo at 2.10 p.m. and arriving in Melbourne at 4.30 a.m. the following day. The return flights will leave Melbourne at 6.00 a.m. and arrive in Colombo at 12.15 p.m.

The airline will also continue its daily service UL604, departing Colombo at 12.20 a.m. and arriving in Melbourne at 2.40 p.m., with the return service UL605 departing Melbourne at 4.10 p.m. and arriving in Colombo at 10.25 p.m.

According to the airline, the additional frequencies will provide travellers with greater flexibility and improved connections through Colombo to destinations across India and the wider region.

The move is expected to particularly benefit the Sri Lankan diaspora living in Australia as well as Sri Lankan students studying there, by offering more convenient travel options between the two countries.

The increased flights are also expected to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional aviation hub, enabling passengers from India to connect to Melbourne via Sri Lanka.