Bonza Airlines to launch Sunshine Coast to Whitsunday flight first

Plans are under way to host a runway party to celebrate new airline Bonza’s first flight in regional Queensland next month.

Budget airline Bonza has picked the Whitsundays for its first flight destination from the 27 routes planned across Australia.

The new airline was set for a meeting with Whitsunday Regional Council on Tuesday this week to talk about “wheels up and a sale date”.

But aviation and tourism chief operating officer Craig Turner said the meeting had been delayed until next week when the airline revealed they would have a confirmed date for the launch.

“My expectation is that it is still going to be in the month of September,” Mr Turner said in response to a question from mayor candidate Jan Clifford.

“We have been approved to be the first Bonza flight – Sunshine Coast to Whitsundays.”

A plan is under way for Whitsunday Coast Airport to be the first destination for new airline Bonza. INSET: Whitsunday Regional Council aviation and tourism CEO Craig Turner. Photo: R Jean Photography

Mr Turner said a big event had been planned at Whitsunday Coast Airport and would be an excellent opportunity to showcase the Whitsundays.

“Of the 27 routes announced, for Bonza to choose the Whitsundays says to me we have a very strong relationship and beyond that they recognise the value of our destination,” he said.

“We’re trying to get them to fly the aircraft up full one-way and not fly it back, have it stay on the apron and that night have a runway party to make sure we leverage this national event.”

Billed as the biggest aviation announcement in the country for years, Bonza announced in February direct flights from Mackay to Cairns, Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.

The Whitsunday Coast Airport will link to Newcastle, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast with Bonza’s fleet of new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The flights were expected to launch in mid-2022, pending regulatory approval, but had been delayed.

The company launched a job drive in June - saying it would deliver $8-10m worth of wages to the Sunshine Coast region through 100 jobs.

Carly Povey, Bonza's chief commercial officer. Picture – Supplied

Bonza chief commercial officer Carly Povey said the airline was yet to price the fares but pledged bags would not cost more than a flight.

She said Bonza’s competition was the drive market, with the Mackay and Whitsunday routes wanting to tap into the existing passenger base that would travel by car to destinations six to seven hours away.

“We’re here for leisure, here to give choice in the leisure market,” she said when the airline launched.

“We see our competition as likely the car and the couch.”