SriLankan Airlines opened an office in Melbourne recently, considering Australia’s emerging potential in the air travel business.

The office was officially opened and graced by External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris and MP Namal Rajapaksa.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman, Nishantha Wickremasinghe and Sri Lankan Travel Inc CEO Dillan Ariyawansa were also present at the opening of the office.

“This is an important first step in our efforts to start direct flights to Australia, particularly in view of the large numbers of Sri Lankans and tourists whom we can serve on this route and beyond to our European, Middle Eastern and Indian destinations.

This would also give us the opportunity to build strong partnerships to connect to serve more destinations within Australia,” SriLankan Chairman, Nishantha Wickremasinghe said.

Sri Lanka’s aviation connections with Australia date back to the early 1950s when its national carrier, then Air Ceylon flew to Sydney and Darwin.

A new air services agreement was signed between Sri Lanka and Australia in May 2007.