Bonza kicks off Sunshine Coast direct flights to Townsville

The second the wheels touched down, the rush was on. Sunshine Coast to Townsville every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Here’s how much it will cost.

For the first time ever, a Bonza plane loaded with passengers has landed on Townsville turf.

It’s the first Bonza flight ever to deliver passengers to Townsville, and in a sign of good things to come, it arrived early.

The plane – known as ‘Sheila’ – heralds the beginning of a non-stop route between the Sunshine Coast and Townsville every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The route is roughly priced at $90 per seat, depending on demand.

Hinterland tourism operator Ali Khan was thrilled to see the flights begin.

One of those walking off the plane was Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat owner Ali Khan.

“Now that we can bring people down from Townsville we can start advertising to this area,” Mr Khan said.

“My marketing team is actually based in Townsville, so it’s unreal what we can now do.”

Bonza's first Sunshine Coast-Townsville flight: passengers Elle (5) and Myf Morton. Elle liked the fact the planes all have names. This one is called 'Sheila'.

The inaugural flight was greeted by a who’s-who of Townsville with Mayor Jenny Hill, the Frosty Mango team and Bluey the NQ Cowboy’s mascot all at baggage claim – in addition to some bewildered Skytrans mine workers.

Bonza executive officer Tim Jordan said the cheap flights “beat the Bruce for sure”.

Bonza's first Sunshine Coast-Townsville flight landed under some dark clouds – but it was all smiles from the first-ever passengers.

“We had a lot of business people on-board today who appreciate not having to drive 100km in the wrong direction to fly to Townsville,” Mr Jordan said.

“Nearly half of Australia lives outside Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane and the rest of the world shows us there is opportunity to develop these regional routes.”

Bonza's first Sunshine Coast-Townsville flight: Bonza CEO Tim Jordan

On Friday, Bonza will be launching their Townsville-Rockhampton route.

The Townsville Bulletin is booked on the flight, ready to investigate the Bonza experience with a critical eye.

Bonza's first Sunshine Coast-Townsville flight: Frosty Mango was the official ice-cream supplier at the celebration. The airline is committed to 100% Aussie food on-board. Pictured: Tayla Waters and Mason Bulgarelli

Mayor Jenny Hill said council is already planning to co-ordinate major events around the Bonza flight times.

“We want people to travel and come up here from north Brisbane, or the Sunshine Coast, whatever you call it,” Cr Hill said.

“For locals this means you can go to the Sunshine Coast, grab your surfboard and off you go. For Sunshine Coast residents they can visit the best reef in the world.”

Tickets can be purchased through the Fly Bonza app.

Originally published as Bonza kicks off Sunshine Coast direct flights to Townsville