Bonza’s inaugural direct GC-Townsville service is the first flight to take off from the airline’s new Gold Coast Airport base, departing today with five flights per week scheduled between the two Queensland cities.
Today’s flight marks the beginning of operations from its third base at Gold Coast Airport with flights to a further 13 destinations to follow over the coming weeks.
The LCC’s new hub, estimated to be worth more than $300 million to the Queensland economy, will see 84 additional flights a week and the first of 14 routes operating out of Gold Coast Airport. Bonza launched in January this year.
Townsville is the first route to be rolled out followed by Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Darwin, Gladstone, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Mt Isa, Mildura, Rockhampton and the Whitsunday Coast.
Eleven out of the 14 regional routes are not currently serviced by any other airline.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan and Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans were on the packed inaugural flight from the Gold Coast to Townsville.
Mr Jordan said: “Today is a golden day for domestic tourism as we start connecting more communities in time for Christmas.”
“Today’s launch is a major milestone for us as we ramp up operations to end the year with 21 destinations and 38 routes.
“We are working towards growing the 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,” he added.
QAL owns and operates both Gold Coast and Townsville airports. Of the new route, CEO Amelia Evans said: “This is an exciting day for our QAL team – the commencement of Bonza’s services gives our customers and communities direct connections to new destinations.”
“As an airport operator, creating valuable connections for the communities in which we operate is a critical part of our vision and it’s a game changer to now have new routes across these regions.”
For more info, head to flybonza.com
