For the first time in history, Virgin Australia has commenced flights between Melbourne and the nation’s Spiritual Heartland, Uluru, with the airline’s maiden Brisbane-Uluru service also talking place last week.
Launched in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Voyages Indigenous Tourism (operators of Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru), the new services will add 62,000 seats to the Red Centre each year, while supporting the growth of the Indigenous tourism sector which contributes almost $6bn^ to the national visitor economy.
The increased access and tourism will also benefit Indigenous employment and training at Ayers Rock Resort, where over 30 per cent of the workforce identifies as Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander – making it one of the largest Indigenous employers in the Australian tourism sector.
Connecting the world to Uluru
Virgin Australia’s Uluru services will also create a new convenient gateway for travellers from Victoria and Queensland, while opening one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks to more than 600 cities around the world through Virgin Australia’s codeshare partnerships with major airlines including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and more. Codeshare flights to Uluru will also mean international tourists can travel on a single ticket, creating a seamless journey to the Red Centre when they visit Australia.
The flights will be operated using Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737 aircraft, with up to 182 seats on every flight, including three seating choices (Business Class, Economy X (extra leg room Economy) and Economy).
|
ROUTE |
FREQUENCY |
SEATS PER MONTH (in each direction) |
COMMENCEMENT DATE |
|
Melbourne – Uluru |
Up to 4 services per week (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun) |
Up to 3,100 seats (during peak season) |
Thursday 6 June 2024 |
|
Brisbane – Uluru |
3 services per week (Mon, Wed, Fri) |
2,300+ seats |
Friday 7 June 2024 |
Uluru sale for 72-hours only
To celebrate Virgin Australia’s new Uluru services from Melbourne and Brisbane, the airline has dropped a mammoth sale with fares available from just $119 one-way* here now until 11:59pm AEST this Saturday 8 June 2024.
And for a limited time, Ayers Rock Resort is offering accommodation from just $230+ per night for stays of three nights or longer, including complimentary buffet breakfast for two.
For Australian travellers wanting to nab a cashless flight to Uluru, Velocity Frequent Flyer’s 12-million members can now experience all the cultural hotspot has to offer from just 9,400 Velocity Points one-way.
Celebrity guests and First Nations artists headline celebrations
Australian World Music Star and renowned First Nations entertainer, Mitch Tambo, performed alongside First Nations DJ, SVVLO, at a special departure gate party the airline held at Melbourne Airport for 182 guests travelling on the sold-out maiden flight.
VA1681, which departed Melbourne at 12:40pm, lands in Uluru at 3:30pm local time, where VIP guests will be escorted to a welcome event at the Ayers Rock Resort’s famous Wintjiri Wiru platform. Headlining entertainment at the event will be Platinum-selling ARIA award-winning singer, Budjerah, who will surprise guests with a performance of his aptly named hit song ‘Ready For The Sky’.
Business, sporting, lifestyle and fashion personalities also joined the first flight from Melbourne, including Rebecca Judd, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Jett Kenny, Michelle Bridges and more.
Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said the launch of Virgin Australia Uluru services marks a very special milestone for the airline.
“Uluru is an incredibly important destination for Virgin Australia as one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in this country and a much-loved place for holiday makers to visit from all over the world,” said Ms Hrdlicka.
“We are proud to be connecting Australians to Uluru as part of our ongoing mission to provide more value and choice to travellers. We know the return of Virgin Australia Uluru services will be welcome news for our people, tourism partners, guests, and our more than 12-million Velocity members, who can now earn and redeem Points on these services.
“Thanks to our wonderful partnerships with some of the world’s leading airlines, including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines, we will now connect Uluru on a single airline ticket to more than 600 cities around the world, opening a new gateway for international tourists to explore Australia’s iconic Red Centre,” she said.
Speaking of the Virgin Australia Uluru sale, Ms Hrdlicka said: “We are very excited to launch our Uluru sale today, giving Australians the opportunity to visit Australia’s Red Centre from just $119 one-way, which is incredible value. We expect the fares to sell out quickly, so I encourage Australians thinking about visiting Uluru to jump on our website before they are gone.”
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia CEO, Matt Cameron-Smith said: “To see Virgin Australia planes touching down in Uluṟu again is a huge thrill – this is a landmark moment that underscores the boundless appeal of the Red Centre. We’re excited to have even more visitors experience the wonders of Uluṟu, along with culturally-immersive experiences like Sunrise Journeys and Wintjiri Wiṟu, through Virgin Australia’s extensive network.”
NT Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Joel Bowden said: “Palya! And welcome to Uluru to Virgin Australia and their passengers from Victoria and Queensland. The Territory Government is delighted to welcome you to Uluru.
“Whether you’re touring around the base of Uluru, enjoying sunrise or sunset or taking in the award winning Wintjiri Wiru experience, Uluru is the heart of the Territory’s Red Centre
Melbourne Airport CEO, Lorie Argus, said the new service would help more people discover Australia’s Red Centre.
“This new service will not only provide convenient connections between Melbourne and Uluru, but also from Tasmania, New South Wales, the ACT and international destinations through our single terminal precinct,” said Ms Argus.
“Having Virgin Australia fly this route is fantastic news for travellers because it provides more choice and opportunity explore our country’s vast interior.”
Virgin Australia’s two new services to Uluru come as the Northern Territory’s peak tourism season (May to October) kicks off.
Find out more about what happened in Uluru to celebrate the launch in Traveltalk Magazine’s newsletter tomorrow.
