Bonza celebrates first flight from Gold Coast Airport

It’s been dubbed “a golden day for domestic tourism” as the first of 14 new low-cost direct routes takes off from Gold Coast Airport on Wednesday. See where to next

Chantay Logan

2 min read

November 15, 2023 - 3:52PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

Gold Coast

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It’s been dubbed “a golden day for domestic tourism” as the first Bonza flight takes off from Gold Coast Airport on Wednesday.

The inaugural Gold Coast to Townsville service is one of 14 new routes set to open over the coming weeks, with the carrier’s new HQ predicted to inject more than $300 million into the Queensland economy.

“Today is a golden day for domestic tourism as we start connecting more communities in time for Christmas,” Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said.

“Bonza focuses on under-served and unserved markets and our Gold Coast base is further proof of that commitment.”

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan. Photo: News Corp Australia

QAL CEO Amelia Evans said the carrier’s move south was a “game-changer”, with 84 additional flights a week to operate out of Gold Coast Airport.

“The commencement of Bonza’s services gives our customers and communities direct connections to new destinations, with two of the fourteen routes linking our airports in Townsville and Mount Isa directly to the Gold Coast,” Ms Evans said

Experience Gold Coast Acting CEO Rachel Hancock said Bonza’s arrival was a strong vote of confidence in the city’s rebounding tourism industry.

“Bonza’s touchdown just in time for our peak summer season is a game changer in growing Gold Coast’s visitor economy so that we are one of the most connected destinations in Queensland,” Ms Hancock said.

The Strand, Townsville with Magnetic Island in the background Townsville and Magnetic Island.

“As a low-cost airline, Bonza has the potential to bolster intrastate and interstate arrivals by offering travellers even greater choice to get to the Gold Coast year-round.”

Bonza’s Townsville to Gold Coast service will operate five times a week.

While the affordable, direct option opens up a tropical playground for Gold Coasters, Mayor Tom Tate was looking forward to seeing some fresh faces winging in to “Australia’s favourite tourism spot”.

“Travellers demand choice when it comes to domestic air services so it is fantastic to see Bonza adding new destinations for passengers out of the Gold Coast,” he said.

“I’m confident locals will support this latest service to Townsville, as well as our friends in Far North Queensland flying in for a holiday in Australia’s favourite tourism spot.”