Virgin Australia Announces New Routes

Virgin Australia has announced service to Uluru will begin in June of 2024 as part of a continued effort to expand its domestic network.

Uluru Flights Coming Soon

The Australian carrier says it’ll launch flights to Uluru from Brisbane and Melbourne and, to celebrate is offering fares as low as $129 one way in economy for select travel dates.

Virgin’s Uluru service originating in Melbourne will commence on June 6, 2024, and operate four times a week. Service departures will occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Meanwhile, its Brisbane flight will launch one day later on June 7, 2024, with service thrice weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Tuesdays.

Its Melbourne to Uluru service will offer up to 3,100 seats during the peak season per month. Brisbane will see 2,300 seats per month in each direction.

Previously, Virgin Australia operated Uluru flights out of Sydney. However, this was before the pandemic. Those customers in Sydney wishing to fly to the Red Centre will soon be able to do so via connections in Melbourne and or Brisbane.

The Importance Of Uluru For Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia says service to Uluru is essential as a leading domestic carrier within Australia.

The routes were launched in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, the latter operating the Ayers Rock Resort.

Injecting 62,000 seats per year now to the Red Centre will allow Australians to enjoy the country’s spiritual heartland as described by Virgin Australia.

Virgin Australia will also directly support the growth of the Indengoeus Tourism sector thanks to these new services coming towards the mid-way point of 2024.

Virgin Australia’s Fleet

The Australian carrier flies several aircraft types across its mainline fleet, and most notably, this includes the arrival of the company’s first 737-8, part of the MAX series.

Away from the 737 MAX, the airline heavily relies on a fleet of 737-800s and 737-700s for its domestic operations, with 72 737-800s in service.

These Boeing 737s average 11.9 years and 13.8 years of age, respectively.

Comments From Executives

Uluru is a special place in Australia and a cultural landmark that identifies this wonderful country to the world. We look forward to once again connecting Australians and international tourists alike, to the spiritual heartland of Australia,” said Ms Hrdlicka. We are also proud to be offering direct flights to Uluṟu from Melbourne and Brisbane for the first time. The forecast demand from these cities, coupled with excellent connectivity from our international airline partners, will provide a much-needed tourism boost to the region.  Greater competition in the market and more seat capacity to Uluru will also provide travellers with more choice and value next time they fly to the Red Centre.

Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka

Whether it’s still on the bucket list or a much-loved destination, visiting Uluru is a must-do for international and Australian travellers alike. These new routes deliver more choice for travel to the NT, but also an abundance of convenient international connections through Virgin Australia’s global network of partners. Demand to visit Uluru is incredibly strong – driven by a wealth of amazing cultural experiences including the world-first $10 million cultural drone and storytelling experience, Wintjiri Wiru – and we can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for Virgin Australia’s return to the Red Centre.

Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

In Summary

Virgin Australia in 2024 will launch two new services to Uluru as part of a continued domestic network expansion.

The carrier will offer connections from Melbourne and Brisbane four and thrice weekly, respectively.