Bonza offers cheap flights from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport from mid-2022

Residents desperate for a holiday but stuck on a budget can now breathe a sigh of relief, as a low-cost airline inbound for Toowoomba will have you saving hundreds. DETAILS HERE

Darling Downs residents could fly interstate for less than $100 when a budget airline starts servicing the district later this year.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan on Friday said the low-cost airline believed the current climate of travel from the region was “wrong”.

“It’s wrong for people in 2022, (that) the people in the region, the south Queensland area and the community here have to spend two to three hours heading down to Brisbane to catch low cost services – that’s going to change,” he said.

“We think if you’re flying on an ultra low-cost carrier such as Bonza … we think if you’re flying for an hour, you shouldn't be paying much more than $50.

“If you’re flying for two hours, maybe that's $75 to $100.

“So that's a significant difference to the alternatives which are currently available or in most cases not currently available.”

Bonza will offer four weekly flights to Melbourne, two weekly flights to Townsville and a twice-weekly service to the Whitsunday Coast from later this year.

“We’re fed up with video calls, we’re fed up with talking to each other over the phones over the past two years,” Mr Jordan said.

“Let’s get out and explore, and let’s get out and see each other.

“Catching up with friends and family and exploring our wonderful back yard, that's what Bonza is all about.”

The three destinations are the first revealed routes, however Mr Jordan said there was more to come.

“When you’re deciding the initial routes, you look at existing traffic and the existing markets, and you say, ‘well if you lower the fares and maybe cut those fares in half, how much more can the market grow’,” he said.

“There is a fantastic facility here, and this is just the first step.”

Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner said the incoming airline and destinations would make a significant difference.

“Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport is thrilled Bonza Airlines has announced it will have eight flights per week with close to 3000 seats coming in and out of Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport each week,” he said.

“People won’t have to spend two and a half hours in their car (to get to low cost flights) and particularly when they get home, they could be home in 20 minutes. It’s going to change it dramatically.

“We’re very excited about where it’s heading.”

CHEAP FLIGHTS: Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner (left) and Bonza CEO Tim Jordan are excited to offer residents low-cost flights from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport across Australia. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Mr Wagner confirmed additional jobs were available to residents, with 10 people recently hired, and another 15 in the coming months.

“We are putting on more ground handlers, more check-in staff more security staff, so that's happening as we speak, so we’re very excited about the future,” he said.

Southern Queensland Country Tourism business development manager Suzanne Holden said this was a huge win for the region.

“The airport sits perfectly within our region for people to fly in and visit all of our regions,” she said.

Flights are due to go on sale in eight weeks, and residents are encouraged to download the Fly Bonza app to stay updated.

Originally published as Bonza offers cheap flights from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport from mid-2022