SriLankan Airlines to launch Colombo-Melbourne flights this year Wednesday, 03 May 2017 00:00 Written by  admin Published in Australia News EXCLUSIVE | SriLankan Airlines will begin flying between Melbourne and Colombo towards the end of this year, marking the airline’s long-awaited return to Australian skies.  A spokesperson for the Sri Lankan flag-carrier – which many years ago abandoned flights to both Sydney and Melbourne – indicated to Australian Business Traveller that the schedule would see four flights each week, using an Airbus A330 jet fitted with lie-flat business class seats to make the 11 hour journey. This will be the only direct route from Australia to Sri Lanka – most travellers to the tiny island off the southern tip of India transit via Singapore, with onwards flights provided by SriLankan and Singapore Airlines. Business class travellers and passengers holding the appropriate Qantas Frequent Flyer status will be able to use ...