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BREAKING NEWS: Virgin Australia to launch Brisbane to Alice Springs flights

From the Sunshine State to Ayers Rock - travellers will have an easier time ticking off Australia's popular sites via Virgin Australia's newest route.

From the Sunshine State to Ayers Rock – travellers will have an easier time ticking off Australia’s popular sites via Virgin Australia’s newest route.

The Aussie carrier has announced that it will operate a twice-weekly return service between Brisbane and Alice Springs from 19 July 2018.

Confirmed by the airline’s Group Executive Rob Sharp this morning, the new service is designed to build on the airline’s presence in Queensland and Northern Territory, while also giving flyers increased travel flexibility.

Virgin Australia planes

The new service, which is on sale now, will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Alliance Airlines’ Fokker 100 and Fokker 70 fleet of aircraft.

Speaking at the Routes Asia 2018 conference in Brisbane, Sharp said he expects Brisbane-Alice Springs flights to perform well as they increase competition between the two destinations and strengthen the carrier’s domestic network.

“We are committed to connecting guests based in regional areas with Australia and the rest of the world.”

Rob Sharp, Virgin Australia Group Executive

The CEO of Northern Territory Airports, Mr Ian Kew, said the new services will help to boost tourism growth in Alice Springs.

Image: Grant McIver/Unsplash

Image: Grant McIver/Unsplash

“These new services will not only provide guests with more choice, they will also play a key role in attracting more tourists to Alice Springs, which in turn will drive economic growth in our region,” Mr Kew said.

Services between Brisbane and Rockhampton, currently operated by Alliance’s Fokker 100 fleet, will also benefit with Virgin Australia upgrading two existing return flights to its Boeing 737 aircraft, adding over 300 seats per week in to the region.

READ: First Aussie pop-up check-in service launches

READ: Airline considers daily flights between Sydney & Hong Kong

Is Alice Springs on your bucket list for 2018?