Bonza to add flight at Avalon Airport

Budget airline Bonza, which began flying from Avalon earlier this year, has culled a number of routes and added flights to others.

Bonza Airline lands at Avalon Airport. Picture: Tony Gough

Avalon has survived and thrived in a shake-up by budget airline Bonza, which culled other routes from its schedule.

The Lara airport has gained an additional flight each week: from September 8, Avalon-Sunshine Coast will fly on Friday as well as the original days of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The airline has outlined changes to its route map and schedule that it said were designed to set the airline up for long-term success and reduce the likelihood of cancellations.

Three of the strong performing routes — Sunshine Coast to Albury, Sunshine Coast to Avalon and Melbourne to Port Macquarie — will welcome an additional flight each week.

Bonza is known for its purple planes. Picture: Alex Coppel

Five routes (Sunshine Coast to Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast to Port Macquarie, Sunshine Coast to Tamworth, Cairns to Mackay and Toowoomba Wellcamp to Whitsunday Coast) will be removed from the airline’s initial route map.

Others will have their frequencies reduced.

“We’ve been compelled to take out five routes where there isn’t sustainable demand at present,” chief commercial officer Carly Povey said.

“Twenty-two routes remain and where there is very strong demand, we’re also starting to add in additional flights which is very positive this early on in Bonza’s journey.

“In order for us to earn your trust, as we know that we’re at the start of that journey, we have decided to take a step back to allow our services to become more reliable.

“We have been totally overwhelmed with the demand from the Avalon community, and with those from Sunshine Coast wanting to fly in to enjoy all Victoria has to offer, trips to the Great Ocean Road are a particular favourite we’re hearing from customers.”

The airline’s first flight at Avalon touched down in February.

Ms Povey said the airline had growth plans which included going on sale with flights from late October 2023 to April 2024 (including Christmas and Easter peak periods), establishing a third base which would mean additional job opportunities, and new routes to existing and new destinations.

Bonza, which started flying in January, said more than 330,000 people had chosen to book with them.

Originally published as Bonza to add flight at Avalon Airport