Low-cost airline Bonza has revealed it will add Gold Coast Airport as its third base, with two aircraft to operate from the iconic holiday spot.
This next phase for the airline – which launched its first commercial flight from Sunshine Coast Airport in January – will see 70 new flights per week and almost 700,000 additional passenger seats a year into and out of Gold Coast Airport.
The airline will fly from the Gold Coast to 11 existing Bonza destinations: Albury, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne Avalon, Melbourne Tullamarine, Mildura, Rockhampton, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast.
“Today’s announcement is about creating more depth in our network by connecting existing Bonza destinations with the Gold Coast and also the gateway from there to Northern NSW,” CEO Tim Jordan said.
“It is a huge boost for the economy and allows people in our existing destinations the opportunity to book an affordable flight to Gold Coast Airport and take a much-deserved holiday or long-awaited visit to friends and family.”
The airline says there will be new destinations that will connect with the Gold Coast, which will be revealed when the time is right.
“We’ll be adding new destinations to our route map that will fly from the Gold Coast and we continue to welcome conversations with airports around the country as we fulfil our mission to connect communities,” Mr Jordan said.
“Our focus continues to be on unserved and under-served markets that we know would benefit from low-cost flights.”
Bonza says flights will be on sale soon through its app, which is the only place to book direct. Starting fares will range from $49 to $79 per person one way.
Chief commercial officer Carly Povey told Sunshine Coast News last month that the airline was still expanding by working to establish a third base to join its headquarters at Sunshine Coast Airport and its “second home” at Melbourne Tullamarine.
The addition of the Gold Coast base will create more than 100 direct jobs, with recruitment to start imminently.
Initially, Bonza will partner with an airline ‘wet lease’ provider to enable families to holiday and connect with each other over Christmas and peak school holidays at a time when global aircraft supply is challenged.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the new partnership between Gold Coast Airport and Bonza would provide a big boost to the local economy.
“This is a significant announcement. The commencement of these new routes will deliver more than $100 million in economic benefit to this region each year,” Ms Evans said.
“Not only will Bonza bring more tourists to the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales region, giving our destination an opportunity to showcase our region, it will also open up connections for our locals to connect with loved ones across regional Australia.
“Many of these routes are new to our network and they’re also very competitively priced, which is great news for our customers and for visitors to our region.”
Mr Jordan said Bonza had been working closely with Queensland Airports Limited for some time as it operates Townsville Airport, where Bonza flies to from the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Toowoomba Wellcamp.
“We thank Gold Coast Airport, and the broader Queensland Airports Limited team, for their partnership in bringing more purple to our skies,” he said.
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