New Australian low-cost airline Bonza has officially announced Gold Coast Airport as its third base.
The airline will base two aircraft at Gold Coast, and will operate to 11 existing destinations, including Albury, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne Avalon, Melbourne Tullamarine, Mildura, Rockhampton, Townsville, and the Whitsunday Coast.
Gateway to Northern NSW
The CEO of Bonza, Tim Jordan, spoke on the new base development, saying, “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.”
“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 addition of new routes from the Gold Coast will also benefit locals, extending from South Brisbane down to Northern NSW regions like Ballina and Byron Bay.
They will now have the chance to explore their own backyard with low-cost flights to regional locations such as Mildura, Bundy, and Townsville, to name a few.
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New destinations in the pipeline
Bonza promises even more exciting news for travelers as they plan to introduce additional and new destinations that will connect with the Gold Coast. The specific details about these destinations are still to be revealed.
Tim Jordan remarked, “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 fulfill our mission to connect communities.”
“Our focus continues to be on unserved and underserved markets that we know would benefit from low-cost flights.”
Increased flight frequencies
The expansion to Gold Coast Airport will bring a significant increase in flight frequency, with 70 new flights per week and almost 700,000 additional passenger seats annually. This move showcases Bonza’s commitment to supporting Queensland and the 11 existing Bonza destinations that are experiencing record growth, such as Avalon and Albury.
The economic impact of this partnership is expected to be substantial. Queensland Airports Limited CEO, Amelia Evans, shared her thoughts, stating:
“This is a significant announcement; the commencement of these new routes will deliver more than one hundred million dollars in economic benefit to this region each year.”
“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.”
Job creation and community support
The expansion will not only boost connectivity but also create more than 100 direct jobs, with recruitment set to begin soon. The base at the Gold Coast will provide a homecoming for pilots and cabin crew, offering them the chance to enjoy the region’s vibrant lifestyle.
Bonza’s commitment to supporting local businesses is commendable. Tim Jordan added, “We also know that our customers love to support local as much as we do, and an additional 11 routes on the Bonza map will mean even more positive demand for products on our all Aussie menu.”
“Many of our menu providers have seen growth in their businesses, with some hiring new staff and expanding their premises as a direct result of our partnership with them.”
Bonza has been working closely with Queensland Airports Limited, operating Townsville Airport, which already has a significant presence on Bonza’s flight schedule.
The partnership between Gold Coast Airport and Bonza is a testament to their shared commitment to connect communities and provide affordable travel options for Australians.
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