Bonza celebrated their inaugural flight between Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton on Monday evening, March 13th. The latest route launch saw customers excited to fly to Australia’s beef capital, also the gateway to Great Keppel Island, lower barrier reef and more.
On Tuesday (March 14, 2023), Bonza announced the launch of inaugural service between Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton, with the first flight taking off on Monday evening, March 13, 2023. Bonza’s newest route saw guests who were excited to fly to Australia’s beef capital, which is also the gateway to Great Keppel Island, the lower Great Barrier Reef and inland to Emerald. Monday’s inaugural flight was preceded by a purple party at Sunshine Coast Airport, complete with obligatory purple cocktails and other tasty treats. The purple cocktails were served by local Sunshine Coast producers Sunshine & Sons, and Your Mates Brewing, who also feature on the airline’s all Aussie menu. To keep travelers hunger pains at bay, Silver Tongue Foods catered the affair, and the company’s lavish crackers are also featured on Bonza’s locally sourced menu.
Speaking at Tuesday’s launch celebration on Monday, Bonza’s CEO, Tim Jordan, said,
“Our team of legends are so excited to get this new route off the ground as it opens up a world of opportunities for holiday makers in both regions. Rocky is relatively undiscovered when you think of all the activities on offer within a short drive from the airport and the Sunshine Coast and nearby Moreton Bay region are packed with experiences from the beach to the hinterland. 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.”
Sunshine Coast Airport’s CEO, Andrew Brodie, added,
“These regional routes are providing travellers with greater choice and access to services they have never experienced before and for many it’s life-changing. The fact that passengers can take a flight directly to the Sunshine Coast from Rockhampton, without the added cost or travel time of having to go to Brisbane first, means more people are likely to travel. What is nearly a seven hour road trip can now be done in just over an hour and for many travellers this will mean that the tyranny of distance, which up until now has prevented them from regularly seeing loved ones, is no longer an impediment to travel.”
Bonza's Team Members and Customers Celebrate the Launch of New Service Between Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton With a Pre-departure 'Purple Party' on Monday, March 13, 2023 - Courtesy Bonza
Upon arrival, Bonza guests were greeted by Rockhampton Region’s Mayor, Tony Williams and Airport Chair, Councillor Neil Fisher. Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Mayor Williams said,
“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.”
Rockhampton Airport Chairman, Councillor Neil Fisher added,
“Jumping on a plane for a weekend getaway or travelling for work has now never been easier. 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.
Bonza is Australia’s new, and only independent low-cost carrier (LCC), enabling Australians to explore more of their own backyard at low prices. The airline currently operates a fleet of five brand new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, which will grow to eight by the end of the first year of operations. Bonza’s initial route map includes 27 routes to 17 destinations. Over 90 percent of Bonza routes are not served by any airline, and 96 percent are not served by a low-cost carrier. The lowest fares are now available for booking on the FlyBonza App.
Source: Bonza