National carrier of Sri Lanka and oneworld alliance member, SriLankan Airlines has launched its first-ever direct flight service between Colombo and Melbourne.
The inaugural flight UL604 landed in Melbourne on Monday 30 October, carrying a host of Sri Lankan dignitaries and famous Sri Lankan cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, and marking the first ever non-stop service between Melbourne and Sri Lanka.
The highly anticipated 10-hour flight service will provide an unprecedented level of convenience and comfort not only to the Sri Lankans residing in Victoria but also to Australian travellers expecting to explore Sri Lanka and beyond.
The new non-stop service will also solidify Colombo’s position as a vibrant gateway city, for travellers seeking onward connectivity.
“Thanks to SriLankan Airlines we are able to better connect family and friends through this direct, non-stop service, and with so many cultural experiences to choose from in Sri Lanka, we’re confident the route is going to be a busy one with tourists as well,” Melbourne Airport chief of aviation Simon Gandy says.
The daily Melbourne to Colombo service will operate on an Airbus A330- 200 departing at 4:55pm (local time) each day, featuring 18 Business Class seats and 251 Economy Class seats.
SriLankan Airlines currently connects to 14 Indian points with more than 120 flights per week, the highest number of Indian destinations served by any international carrier, and more than sixty weekly flights to and from nine Middle Eastern destinations.
It also offers connectivity to popular holiday destinations such as the Seychelles, and Malé & Gan Island in the Maldives.
All SriLankan Airlines flights include a dedicated childcare stewardess, comfortable seating, entertainment options and a calming ambience.
