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Jetstar has begun direct service between Brisbane and Uluru (Ayers Rock Airport) and its group chief executive Gareth Evans anticipates other new routes opening up with the coming addition of Airbus A321LRs to the fleet.

The new Brisbane-Uluru route began on Friday. It’s the only non-stop service on the sector and will save Jetstar customers at least six hours on their journey.

Jetstar will use Airbus A320 aircraft to operate the three-times-weekly service, conveying up to 28,000 additional travellers to the Northern Territory each year.

Earlier this year, Qantas announced it had ordered 18 A321LRs for Jetstar, its low-cost-subsidiary. The arrival of the first of those aircraft is scheduled for mid-2020 and Evans believes they will open up new opportunities for the airline, Australian Aviation reported.

In the meantime, travellers can whisk between Uluru and Brisbane faster than ever.

Celebrating with an event at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Jetstar group executive manager, Alan McIntyre said the new flights showed Jetstar’s commitment to helping grow tourism in the Northern Territory.

“Tourism in the Northern Territory is booming, particularly from Queensland where travellers from the sunshine state grew by almost 20% last year.

“Today’s inaugural flight was fully booked and we are seeing strong forward bookings, particularly from families and international travellers connecting from Brisbane.

“With a flight time of just three-hours, it’s clear that this service is going to be very popular and we’re excited to be the first and only airline to operate the direct route.”

Northen Teritory Minister for Tourism and Culture, The Hon. Lauren Moss MLA, congratulated Jetstar on the new service.

“I applaud Jetstar on this new three-per-week service, which demonstrates the airline’s confidence in the Territory’s tourism industry.

“This new flight comes off the back of the Territory Government’s recent AUD 103 million Turbocharging Tourism initiative and is another major win under this important economic stimulus program.”

Welcoming the new route, Voyages executive general manager, sales, marketing and distribution, Ray Stone said the Jetstar imitative support a major domestic market “as well as connections from Brisbane to international destinations”.

The new flights from Brisbane are in addition to Jetstar’s direct flights to Uluru from Melbourne and Sydney, and will see Jetstar offering a total of 257,000 seats to the Northern Territory every year.

Flights from Brisbane to Uluru are available in Jetstar.com from AUD 179 one way.

Written by Peter Needham