Budget airline Bonza officially boards first ‘game changer’ flight on Tuesday heading to the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Bonza has officially launched in the Australian aviation sector as the new budget airline boards its first ever flight on Tuesday.

The independent low-cost airline includes 27 routes to 17 destinations across Australia, based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, with flights booked directly through the FlyBonza app.

Bonza will roll out its first wave of flights this week, with the first one on Tuesday going from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsunday Coast.

Chief Executive Officer of Bonza Tim Jordan stated that the launch will be a “game changer” for both the tourism market and Australian travelers who are able to “forgo the 12 hour drive in place of a direct flight. “

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“What better place to start than arguably two of the nation’s favorite vacation destinations,” he said.

“Today’s milestone flight comes at a time when demand is high for Aussies to explore their own backyard.”

The first flight comes days after the airline went on sale for the first time last week, with tickets selling for as low as $49 to popular holiday destinations.

Mr Jordan said more than 10,000 seats had been sold through Bonza’s app since the sale was launched, with deals ranging from $49 to $79 one-way.

“What our first customers will experience on board is a fresh approach to flying where we keep the quality high and our costs low,” he said.

Bonza will fly to various destinations in Queensland including: Cairns, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Toowoomba Wellcamp and the Whitsunday Coast.

The airline does not operate in Sydney but will fly to other interstate destinations including: Albury, Avalon, Coffs Harbour, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.

The first wave of flight tickets includes two to five flights per week in each destination.

Sunshine Coast Airport chief executive Andrew Brodie said he expected to see an additional 722,000 seats in the region, which should generate more than $86 million in local investment.

“Bonza’s commencement of services marks a new era for our airport and wider region and over the next 12 months we will see an additional 772,000 seats in the region, generating over $86 million in visitor expenditure,” he said. said.

“Our partnership with Bonza is just the beginning as we look forward to a bright future and bringing even more destinations to our airport that will grow employment and tourism and unlock new market opportunities for business to explore.”

Bonza received its air operator certificate from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) earlier this month to begin operations

Mr Jordan welcomed the regulatory approval in a press conference held at Coffs Harbor Airport on January 12.

“This is a historic moment for Australian aviation as we prepare to launch the first high-capacity airline in more than 15 years, and the country’s only independent low-cost service,” he said at the press conference.

“Demand for domestic travel is high and Aussies deserve that travel is a basic right for the many, not a luxury for the few.”

CASA Director of Aviation Safety and Chief Executive Officer Pip Spence said Bonza had gone through a rigorous assessment and validation process to ensure it could operate safely.

“The CASA and Bonza teams worked together throughout the application to ensure the airline’s operations met Australia’s high aviation safety standards,” he said.