New start-up low-cost Australian airline Bonza operated its first flight from Sunshine Coast Airport direct to Rockhampton, Queensland last week.
Rockhampton becomes the latest route edition for the new start-up airline. Bonza’s latest route to launch saw excited customers fly to Australia’s beef capital.
Rockhampton is also considered the gateway to Great Keppel Island, lower Great Barrier Reef and inland to Emerald.
CEO Tim Jordan was quick to spruik the benefits of low-cost flying, saying: “Bonza is here to change travelling behaviours by making air travel affordable to the many, not the few.”
“Rocky and Sunny Coast residents can now ditch the impossibly long drive along the Bruce Highway with a faster, more comfortable and low-cost option.
“I was lucky enough to meet a grandmother on a recent Bonza flight who told me she paid more for her cab ride to the airport than she did for her flight.”
“There are plenty of families in Rockhampton and the Sunny Coast looking to reconnect more often, and we’re humbled to help,” he said.
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A local welcome
There to welcome Bonza’s first customers were Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams and Airport Chair Councillor Neil Fisher.
“This new direct route connecting Rockhampton to the Sunshine Coast is an exciting win for the people of Central Queensland.”
“To be able to connect travellers between our two regions and make it possible for passengers to explore their own backyard with airfares cheaper than a tank of fuel is such welcome news”, Mayor Williams said.
Airport Chair Councillor Neil Fisher said this route will be very popular with friends and family travellers, as well as those travelling for business and FIFO purposes.
“This new direct route is what travellers have been longing for – we can’t wait to welcome more people to sunny CQ and show them what our amazing region has to offer,” Cr Fisher said.
His sentiments were echoed by the region’s peak tourism and economic development organisation who has welcomed Bonza with open arms:
“Bonza has provided an incredible opportunity to our destination in attracting more visitors from our source markets,” said Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll.
“By offering an affordable and quick alternative to driving to the Beef Capital, visitors can also experience coastal villages, sub-tropical islands, ancient limestone caves, native wildlife parks, rainforest and the Southern Great Barrier Reef all within an hour from Rockhampton.”
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Andrew Brodie said the new route was another gain for Sunshine Coast locals and industry who will benefit from the inbound and outbound traffic on Bonza’s new route.
The airport CEO pointed to the fact that passengers can now take a flight directly to the Sunshine Coast from Rockhampton, without the added cost or travel time of having to go to Brisbane first, meaning more people are likely to travel.
About Bonza
Bonza’s initial route map includes 27 routes to 17 destinations. Ninety-three per cent of Bonza routes are not currently served by any airline and 96% not currently served by a low-cost carrier.
