Bonza, Media Release, 15 November 2023
The Gold Coast just got closer to more of Australia with Bonza launching operations there today [15 November 2023]. Australia’s newest low-cost carrier will progressively introduce 14 routes over November and December to have wheels up on its newest base before the peak summer travel season.
A packed inaugural flight departed this morning to Townsville marking the beginning of Bonza’s next phase of growth. The North Queensland city is the first of the new routes to be rolled out to be followed by Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Darwin, Gladstone, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Mt Isa, Mildura, Rockhampton and the Whitsunday Coast. Eleven out of the 14 routes are not currently serviced by any other airline.
“Today is a golden day for domestic tourism as we start connecting more communities in time for Christmas. We know that there are so many leisure travellers who will love the chance to take a Bonza flight or holiday to the Gold Coast, but that there are also a lot of people from the Goldie and northern NSW catchments that want the chance to connect with loved ones or explore new places. Our team of legends feel privileged to bring families and friends together in time for end of year celebrations at affordable prices,” said Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza.
“Today’s launch of the Gold Coast is a major milestone for Bonza as we ramp up operations to end the year with 21 destinations and 38 routes. Next year, we look forward to continuing to make air travel accessible to the many, not the few. We are working towards growing Bonza’s fleet to at least 10 aircraft by the end of 2024 and with that will come our fourth base and extended reach into new states and territories,” revealed Jordan.
Bonza is continuing to recruit Gold Coast-based cabin crew and pilots with Jordan saying applications for cabin crew and supervisors close on 23 November.
Both Townsville and Gold Coast airports are owned and operated by Queensland Airports Limited, with CEO Amelia Evans welcoming the new route.
“This is a particularly exciting day for us at QAL – the commencement of Bonza’s services will provide more seamless connections for both our customers and our teams, with two of the fourteen routes linking our airports in Townsville and Mount Isa directly to the Gold Coast,” said Evans.
“This is the first of 14 routes that will operate out of Gold Coast Airport providing passengers with more options to connect easily with loved ones across the country.
“As an airport operator, creating valuable connections for the communities in which we operate is important to us and it’s great to hear already how Bonza’s new routes are opening up air travel to more people across these regions.”
Travellers are encouraged to download the Fly Bonza app which is the only place to book direct.
