Virgin Blue - Uluru from AUG10

[David B.]

Source (http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=102564&nav=2)

Virgin Blue today announced that from August of this year, it will begin services to Uluru (Ayers Rock) from Sydney, becoming the only other operator besides Qantas to operate services to the remote airport.

Operated by Voyager Resorts & Hotels, the Northern Territory airport will receive the new Virgin Blue Embraer E-190 daily services from the 2nd of August this year.

Continues..

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/qantasflyer/AYQ.png

[Rhys Xanthis]

Undercutting QF by about $75 during non sale times. Sale times not so much, $169 on QF vs $149 on DJ.

I'm sure QF will bring their prices down though...

[Brandon Giacomin]

Sydney-Ayers Rock
DJ1627 SYD 1010 AYQ 1320 E190 (DAILY)

Ayers Rock-Sydney
DJ1628 AYQ 1400 SYD 1730 E190 (DAILY)

[Robert Zweck]

Interesting times...this new route should be successful.

The 3 top Aussie tourist spots ( in no particular order ) are Ayers Rock, Sydney Harbour and Cairns.

US tourists simply don't go home without visiting the Rock. Average stay is 1.5 days.

Ayers Rock has an aura about it, nothing else like it.

The Japanese would operate B747 into there if given a chance, a runway extension is physically possible but financially prohibitive

The cost would be obscene.

[Harry G]

I am suprised that with the pull out from Adelaide to Alice by Tiger and although Jetstar dropped their base in Adelaide, Qantas has not pushed Jetstar into Ularu/Alice Springs, particulalry being a strong tourist destination and allowing Virgin to beat them to the punch...
I guess a Borghetti strategy........... drive down the Qantas prices!

[Jarden S]

I wonder if Virgin will return to the SYD-DRW route that one seems missing from thier network. Are they getting new E jets to operate the new Ayers rock flight?

[Harry G]

I may have not put it correctly Andrew...
I go down the path of the Qantas Group pushing Jetstar onto the holiday routes such as Ularu/Alice, currently not serviced by them but appear to be pushing Qantaslink/Qantas. I am sure they have their reasons

[Anthony T]

Hi there

The Lost Camel hotel at Ayers Rock has a room rate of $22 during August & September, it is usually $220 so someone left off a zero.

I just booked 2 nights in August in conjuction with the Virgin Blue inaugural flight to AYQ.

Hope they honour the rate. :rolleyes:

Cheers
Anthiony T

[Anthony T]

Sydney-Ayers Rock
DJ1627 SYD 1010 AYQ 1320 E190 (DAILY)

Ayers Rock-Sydney
DJ1628 AYQ 1400 SYD 1730 E190 (DAILY)


These timings are out of whack, there is not DST in the the eastern states in AUG.

Should be SYD 1010 AYQ 1220 2h40
AYQ 1300 SYD 1600 2h30

[Daniel F]

These timings are out of whack, there is not DST in the the eastern states in AUG.


Unless Virgin planes fly a lot faster than Qantas planes, the original times are correct. For comparison QF728 departs at 9:30am arriving at 12:40pm.

[Anthony T]

You're right Daniel, I can't add up like I used to :p

Although what threw me initially is that the Virgin Blue website gives flight times of 4h40 going to AYQ and 2h00 coming back when you click on the flight numbers. :confused:

Anthony T

[Ash W]

I'll think you'll find the decision to commence AYQ services by DJ would have been made well before Borghetti arrived. These decisions are made well in advance.[/FONT]

He hasn't actually taken over yet, so clearly has been done in advance! Just some silly comments from Harry on both the points he raised. Ie that Virgin Blue has somehow beaten Jetstar to town (clearly Qantas is doing ok in their own colour rather than handing over to JQ) and that it was some how a Borghetti initiative to force Qantas prices down.

[Gareth U]

Ie that Virgin Blue has somehow beaten Jetstar to town

I thought there was a problem operating 320s out of AYQ? I once overheard a conversation to that effect. The basis of that conversation was the runway not being wide enough. Though I note it is as wide as MCY and BNK, which see regular 320 ops.

Anyone clued up? Qantas surely are not in the AYQ market for the J class traffic!

[Stuart Trevena]

Hi All,

YAYE runway is 2599 x 30m according to Airservices Australia Website.
Some further notes from the website:


Twy A not Available to aircraft below 5700kg MTOW HJ

Twy B, C & D Avail Only to ACFT below 5700kg MTOW

Given the above, can anyone confirm if a A320 or even a B737 can use this airport or only a B717 and E Jets and Dash 8's

Stuart

[Ash W]

Qantas still run 737's there. If I recall Ansett used to run A320's there on a regular basis all those years ago.

[Gareth U]

AN ran the 320s via ASP though. Could that make a difference? Weight issues?

[Robert Zweck]

The Ayers Rock strip ( Connellan ) can easily accomodate a B737, Qantas operate one there each day ex-SYD. QF 728/729.

An A320 would be no problem, either. Not sure if temps of 43 degs or greater start to take an effect

Ansett flew their A320 VH-HYN into the strip during the 2000 Olympic Torch relay, ( ex Auckland ) but would have been lightly loaded. The skipper was Ansett's Chief Pilot ( Mark R. ) The event was a direct telecast on the Channel 9 " Today " breakfast show hosted by Steve Liebmannn.

This is the only A320 op which I am aware of.

QantasLink once operated the Dash-8 between ASP and AYQ, can't remember when QF started jet ops out of AYQ

The DC-9 out of ASP was a type significantly affected by high temps.......it was normal during summer to have to leave all freight and some baggage behind. Don't know of temp issues with other types.

[Ryan Hothersall]

Robert, I seem to remember hearing something on the radio about passengers on the 717 having to leave their checked in luggage behind as the 717s were too heavy for the hot conditions. That was in ASP and DRW I think.

I could be wrong, so feel free to put me straight on the issue

[Brad Myer]

Yea they did. Apparently all the B717s have had some sort of engine/software upgrade so it isnt a real issue anymore.

[Craig Sandford]

AN ran the 320s via ASP though.

I have logged A320 flights to/from AYQ on AN on VH-HYX and VH-HYQ direct from/to SYD in July 2001. Obviously a little cooler at that time of year, but still in the mid 30's from memory in the middle of the day.

[Kent Broadhead]

I did ASP/SYD in Apr 2000 on an AN 320 - yup, mid-30s from what I remember. What I don't remember whether the flight had come in from AYQ or not.....

[Gareth U]

Makes me wonder why QF are still on the AYQ route. Yields must be terrible. I can't imagine the arrival of DJ will make them any better!

On a side note I have noticed that at least 80% of the customers on AYQ flights are international visitors. Often this figure is much greater and sometimes we do not have English speakers to sit at the exits. I think the airlines and Voyages need to be more proactive in reducing the costs for domestic tourists. Either make the packages cheaper or reduce the costs of hotels and air fares.

My partner and I went to AYQ for 24 hours (Sat lunch time to Sun lunch time). I was on a free ticket and my partner on my staff travel. We got 50% off accommodation and discounted car rental and the short trip cost us almost $900 (including the Sounds of Silence dinner and park entry)! Recently we bought commercial airfares, hotel and car for three nights in MCY from the JQ website for only $750. The Rock needs to be more competitive. It is a shame more Australians have not experienced the wonder.

[Robert Zweck]

It is a shame more Australians have not experienced the wonder.


As an observer of the Rock over the last 40 years, I am still in awe of its magnificence. The sheer size and the colour changes are amazing.

[Ash W]

Gareth, in many ways what you were talking about is a perfect example of market powers at play. Clearly there are people who are willing to pay the high price, and is probably the very reason Qantas is there and not Jetstar.

With all the other facets of Uluru you mention, again the prices are what they are because people will pay it. Uluru is a premium destination, not a bulk tourism place. More tourists would actually ruin the place (even more).

[Adam G]

Uluru is a premium destination, not a bulk tourism place. More tourists would actually ruin the place (even more).

A lot like HTI

[Gareth U]

Uluru is a premium destination, not a bulk tourism place. More tourists would actually ruin the place (even more).

While I see what you are saying I disagree that more tourists would ruin the place.

Numbers are down and the resort is up for sale. It is getting tired to say the least. Voyages would attract more people by making it cheaper and I am sure more money would be made in the process. HTI is a great example. It was in dire straits. Initially everyone complained that JQ made the island 'common'. The low cost carriers have helped turn the island around through increased numbers. I believe the same could be achieved with Ayers Rock.

I also believe it almost unpatriotic that far more Aussies have been to Phuket or Bali than Uluru. We should all be required to go to Uluru at some point. Amazing does not begin to describe.

[Jarden S]

There must be a lot of demand to get to Ayers Rock because Qantas link fly double daily from Cairns only a small city with the 717 so thats 1400 seats a week. I don't know where they get all the passengers from. So for a much bigger market Sydney will have enough passengers for both airlines to fill their aircraft.

[Robert Zweck]

There must be a lot of demand to get to Ayers Rock because Qantas link fly double daily from Cairns.


The 3 top tourist destinations are Cairns, Ayers Rock and Sydney Harbour

e.g. A lot of Japanese with restricted time go to all 3 and then home

[Stuart Trevena]

Hi All,

I was at the Ayers Rock (Uluru) airport in July last year and spoke to the QF staff.

The B717 flight comes from Cairns and continues onto Perth.

The flight is the only mid morning departure to Perth from Cairns and arrives in Perth mid afternoon.
QF1859 & QF1923.

Another B717 does the Reverse from Perth.

When I was there, there wasn't too many Overseas visitors coming off the flight.

In fact they were mainly Australians.

The overseas visitors would fly into Alice Springs and join a Coach Tour out to Uluru, which would inc several nights accomodation.

Stuart

[Anthony T]

Hi there

Were these QF staff or Voyages staff dressed up in QF uniform?

Who will handle the DJ flight?, from what I have heard from my friend who works at the resort (but not at the airport), the QF people don't want to touch the Virgin Blue flight.

Cheers
Anthony T