Colombo, Aug. 26 (Daily Mirror) – Australian airline Jetstar has launched direct flights between Melbourne and Colombo, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Australia.

The airline’s inaugural flight from Melbourne was ceremonially welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport, where it received the traditional water salute conducted by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited.

Jetstar is scheduled to operate three direct flights a week between Melbourne and Colombo.The new service is expected to provide greater opportunities to attract tourists from Australia and New Zealand to Sri Lanka while strengthening ties between the two countries through improved air connectivity.It will also offer an additional travel option for the large Sri Lankan-origin community in Australia. More than 200,000 people of Sri Lankan origin are reported to live in Victoria alone.The launch of the direct service comes as Sri Lanka seeks to further expand international air connectivity and boost the tourism sector by attracting more visitors from key overseas markets.