Virgin Blue will become the second airline to operate direct flights between Sydney and Uluru, providing the first competition to Qantas on the route.

The airline will start operating the service on August 2, and is offering a starting fare of A$149 until March 21. Normal fares will start from A$199.

Chris Tallent, chief executive of Voyages Hotels & Resorts, which owns and operate Ayers Rock Resort, said: “The new flights will complement the existing airline capacity and provide terrific opportunities for renewed growth, expansion and promotion of the region.

“We have no doubt that these new flights will stimulate strong growth in demand for the destination from within Australia and further improve international links through to the region.”

Virgin Blue’s service, which carries 104 people, is being seen as much-needed competition to Qantas, whose one-way fares now start at about A$250.