Virgin Blue has announced that it will operate services from Sydney to Ayers Rock from August 2.
The daily flights will be operated with a 104-seat Embraer E-190, with launch fares starting from $149 one way. Regular fares will start from $199.
“The timing is right for us to launch a new route as we take delivery of a new E-Jet later this year and we looked at a number of options before deciding Ayers Rock (Uluru) was the ideal destination to commit our new resources to,” said CEO Brett Godfrey in a statement. “The decision reflects our view regarding the importance of Ayers Rock (Uluru) to the tourism industry and indeed to visitors from our own backyard, as well as from all over the world, who flock to the rock each year to marvel at the natural landmark.”
Virgin Blue says that it has worked with the Ayers Rock airport authority to ensure that it can handle the additional passengers, and as a result it will upgrade check-in counters and build additional baggage belts.
