Qantas Group is replacing its full-service flights from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport (Uluru) with low-cost carrier Jetstar from June 4.
Jetstar will fly to Uluru four times per week using one-class Airbus A320 aircraft and will feature a Qantas codeshare on the service.
While the route will see the loss of three services per week (Qantas was flying daily), the arrival of Jetstar has been welcomed by the operators of Ayers Rock Resort and the airport, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, Koos Klein, said given the airline was known for its low fares and creative marketing campaigns, Jetstar was “sure to inspire even more guests to experience the magic of the Red Centre”.
“The new Jetstar flights, combined with the transformation at Ayers Rock Resort over the last 12 months, will give domestic and international tourists the impetus they need to book a journey to Uluru today,” he said.
When announcing the flights on Monday, Jetstar placed a sale on the route with airfares starting from $119 one-way.
“The daily Virgin flights have been incredibly popular and the addition of Jetstar four times a week to the route is a great option for guests wanting to visit Uluru,” Klein said.
“We are looking forward to working with Jetstar in a range of promotions for Ayers Rock Resort and I am sure the response from Jetstar customers will be a positive one.”
Qantas said it will continue to operate flights between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, and Cairns and Ayers Rock.