Extra Cairns to Uluru flights to boost NT’s international tourism
Qantas plans to fill an additional 37,000 seats per year on a major flight path for international tourists. Have your say with our readers’ poll.
Northern Territory
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International tourism numbers in the NT are set to take off as flights between two iconic Australian destinations increase.
Qantas will add 37,000 seats per year to its Cairns-Uluru route and increase flight frequency from three times a week to daily as of March 31, 2024.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nicole Manison said Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was a key international tourist attraction.
“The announcement to increase Qantas’ flight frequency from Cairns to Uluru to a daily
service in 2024 will be critical to boosting our industry, with significant lead time for agents to package and sell overseas,” she said.
The soaring flight numbers will be critical to international travellers’ multi-stop itineraries and make movement between Australia’s natural attractions easy.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia chief executive Matthew Cameron-Smith said he looked forward to working with Qantas to rebuild Red Centre tourism.
He said the additional flights would provide a “premium experience for travellers wanting to experience the spiritual heart of our country”.
Qantas domestic and international chief executive Andrew David said the route was a “key link” because the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru were “high on visitors’ bucket lists”.
It comes after the national airline quietly cut 30,000 seats to Alice Springs and Uluru earlier in the year.
Tourism Central Australia’s chief executive Danial Rochford said the seats would be cut by October this year, during the region’s peak tourism season.
Alice Springs deputy mayor Eli Melky suggested an alliance between similar regional towns – such as Katherine and Townsville – to encourage airlines to bring affordable flights back to the regions.
Mr Melky said the town was missing out on a “huge economic benefit”, alongside the opportunity to attract workers to the town to provide essential services to the community.
“So it’s not just the people in hotels who are making money and benefiting … it’s everyone,” he said.
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