Bonza celebrates its first Sunshine Coast-Mackay flight

Mackay Airport turned purple on Valentine’s Day as Australia’s newest budget airline delivered excited passengers and crew to the Sugar City for the first time.

It’s not often you see Mackay’s footy players break out the budgie smugglers in public, but Bonza Airlines’ first flight from the Sunshine Coast to the Sugar City was reason enough for the Cutters to strip down to the bare minimum.

Australia’s newest budget carrier delivered about 150 passengers to Mackay Airport on Valentine’s Day, heralding a new era of connection and possibility for regional Queenslanders.

Sunshine Coast couple Monique and Matthew Purser said they heard about the maiden Mackay flight on the radio while driving to work.

Mackay Cutters players Kabe Bone, Alfie Schultz, and Asher O'Donnell welcome passengers on Bonza's first Sunshine Coast to Mackay flight on February 14, 2022. Photo: Zoe Devenport

The nurse and groundsman said it was “relaxing” to farewell their two kids and board a Valentine’s Day adventure for “something different”.

They said the free flight was clean, short, and they were keen to see charging ports in seats on a domestic flight.

Hayley Hancock and her friend Lara Bogusz won tickets on the groundbreaking flight in a 91.9 SeaFM contest.

“She (Hayley) phoned me and said pack your bags,” Lara said.

Sunshine Coast mums Lara Bogusz and Hayley Hancock won a Galentines Day ticket on Bonza Airlines first Mackay flight in a 91.9 SeaFM contest. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Both mothers of three, they decided to leave their kids in the care of their partners and take ‘Galentines Day’ to a new level.

While Lara had been to Mackay before as a cheerleading coach, it was Hayley’s first trip to the Sugar City with both enjoying the Bonza pool party hosted at the Ibis Hotel next to the Mackay Airport.

The airline has three aircraft at its Sunshine Coast base — named Shazza, Bazza and Sheila, and a Sunshine Coast couple with the same names were soon tapped for a very special lovers’ outing.

A real life Sunshine Coast couple Bazza and Shazza were flown up on Bonza Airlines’ first flight to Mackay for Valentines Day, after jokingly commenting on the Bonza aeroplane name announcement the company had copied their names. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Bazza, or Barry Dick, said he had jumped on Bonza’s Facebook page and jokingly commented regarding the name theft: “How dare you, you didn’t even ask?”

“Heard from them saying ‘Would you like to come up (to Mackay) for this?’ and we said yeah sure.”

Barry and Sharon Dick renewing their vows with Bonza at Sunshine Coast Airport. Photos: Peter Wallis.

The real life Bazza and Shazza, or Barry and his wife Sharon, renewed their vows on the tarmac before boarding the Sunshine Coast flight to Mackay.

The pair actually met working with News Corp in the Bowen Hills office.

Cocktails welcomed passengers on Bonza's first Sunshine Coast to Mackay flight on February 14, 2022. Photo: Zoe Devenport

They said they hadn’t celebrated Valentine’s Day in years, but that patience and “a sense of humour” were central to their four decade marriage.

“After 41 years (of marriage), you’ve got a bit of excitement somehow,” Shazza said.

In the crowded pack of passengers, crew and dignitaries, Bonza’s colour scheme of light purple reigned supreme, including for the budgie smugglers.

Flights start off at just $59 per person one way.

A Jetstar flight from Brisbane to Townsville, by contrast, is priced at more than $120 this week.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan reckons the ultra low fares can and will continue.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan at Bonza's first Sunshine Coast to Mackay flight on February 14, 2022. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“We are about connecting communities and giving Aussies the chance to fly directly to see loved ones where before it was either too expensive or took too long,” he said.

“We are also about making it affordable to see more of your own backyard and Mackay is the perfect example of a destination that is relatively undiscovered.”

“Our initial route network accounts for five aircraft and we’re working towards having eight in our first year of operation, subject to regulatory approval,” Mr Jordan said.

Bonza runs off the Fly Bonza app, where passengers can book flights, manage their bookings, check in and order in-flight food.

Passengers enjoy a pool party at Ibis Hotel at Bonza's first Sunshine Coast to Mackay flight on February 14, 2022. Photo: Zoe Devenport

There are no in-flight trolleys and crew members deliver food to customers at their seat.

North Queensland Airports CEO Richard Barker said the Sunshine Coast-Mackay route was a win for travellers and businesses.

“These flights enable cost-effective travel, whether that be for leisure, visiting friends and relatives or business,” Mr Barker said.

“We expect this new Bonza service will add thousands of additional seats to the Mackay market per week once the schedule is ramped up.”

Once Bonza has introduced all flights on its initial route map, travellers in Mackay can take three flights per week to the Sunshine Coast, two flights per week to Cairns and two flights weekly to Melbourne.

There has been no date set for when flights will connect Mackay and Melbourne.