New budget airline Bonza launches first flight
The first flight by new Australian budget airline Bonza takes off today, with the carrier pledging to offer “travel for the many, not the few”.
Chief executive Tim Jordan told Today this morning the low-cost airline aimed to shake up domestic air travel.
“It’s about new market stimulation and giving many places, many people the opportunity to travel to see friends and family … We are about travel for the many, not the few,” he said.
Jordan was speaking as Bonza launched its first flight today from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to the Whitsunday Islands.
It will be one of 27 routes offered by the airline to 17 destinations.
Flights went on sale last week and deals begin from $49 to $79 one way.
Jordan said the new airline aimed at stimulating new tourism markets by offering more flights to overlooked regional communities.
“We are about visiting friends and relatives and that’s our focus.”
Flights to Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Rockhampton begin at $49 and flights to Cairns and Mildura start from $79.
Other Queensland destinations include Rockhampton, Toowoomba, the Whitsunday Coast, Mackay, Gladstone and Bundaberg.
And interstate destinations include Newcastle, Albury, Mildura, Avalon, Melbourne, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.
Bonza said flights from its second base at Melbourne Airport will go on sale “in a matter of weeks”.
