New Uluru flights boost to Red Centre tourism

BUDGET airline Jetstar set to launch its first direct services between Melbourne and Uluru.

Uluru

BUDGET airline Jetstar set to launch its first direct services between Melbourne and Uluru.

The move will see Jetstar become the only scheduled carrier to offer non-stop flights between the two destinations, the NT News reports.

The carrier will begin four weekly return flights from June 28, as well as up the ­Sydney-Uluru route to a daily service. The extra services equate to 4000 seats a week to Uluru — more than doubling the present capacity.

Pictures: Uluru as you've never seen it

The announcement comes just over a week after it was ­revealed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Uluru in April.

The growing popularity of the Sydney-Uluru leg contributed to introducing a similar service from Melbourne.

Jetstar chief executive David Hall said Uluru was one of Australia’s most popular destinations, and that the new services would help drive tourism growth to the ­region.

Tourism Minister Matt Conlan said the new services would boost visitor numbers to Central Australia, adding that it would also coincide with activities surrounding the royal visit to Uluru next month.

Jetstar will today release one way fares from Melbourne to Uluru for $99 after 10.30am.

Read more about the new Melbourne-Uluru flights at the NT News.