Wedoany.com Report on Mar 18th, SriLankan Airlines recently announced that it will increase flight frequencies between Melbourne and Colombo, upgrading from daily operations to 10 flights per week. This adjustment means the addition of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday A330-300 services, which is expected to provide over 92,000 additional seats annually to meet the growing international travel demand from Melbourne.

Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercial at SriLankan Airlines, stated: "Melbourne holds a special place in our hearts, not only because of the large Sri Lankan community residing here but also because it was the destination marking our historic entry into the Australian market." He added: "We have witnessed steady growth in this market, and we are optimistic that this increase in flight frequency will pave the way for future expansion."

Jim Parasos, Head of Aviation at Melbourne Airport, pointed out that SriLankan Airlines' connections via Colombo will offer passengers more options, not only to Sri Lanka but also to destinations like India, the Maldives, and Europe. He said: "Amid current global uncertainties, it is reassuring to see SriLankan Airlines committing more capacity to Melbourne and increasing international connectivity opportunities. SriLankan Airlines has been a long-term partner of Melbourne Airport, and we know these flights will make connecting to one of the most dynamic regions in our country easier than ever before."

Data shows that in February 2026, Melbourne welcomed 996,677 international passengers, a 7.1% increase from the 930,356 recorded in February 2025, while domestic passengers grew by 1.6% to 1,827,825. Parasos mentioned that the increased capacity from China ahead of the Lunar New Year, with the addition of Shenzhen Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines, boosted international traffic. He stated: "Competition in the international market is delivering better outcomes for travelers, with more international airlines offering more choices than ever before. While domestic travel is growing year-on-year, it remains below pre-pandemic levels as budget-conscious travelers take advantage of cheaper international fares."

This news comes as Melbourne prepares for a major expansion of its international terminal. Airport CEO Lorie Argus said this will boost Victoria's economy. She said: "Daily international services inject an average of approximately $190 million annually into the Victorian economy. That's why we confirmed last month the $4.5 billion international terminal expansion plan, along with building a third runway, both of which will increase capacity and help provide more options for international passengers and exporters." SriLankan Airlines began flying to Melbourne in 2017.