New budget airline Bonza a boost to Newcastle, Mid North Coast

The inclusion of Newcastle and Port Macquarie in routes announced by Australia’s newest low-cost airline is a big boost for both regions.

THE country’s newest budget airline has announced Newcastle will become part of its flight path plans as early as October this year.

Independent low-cost carrier Bonza Airlines has revealed its inaugural route map, airport bases, head office location and all-digital approach, which will see six new flights out of Williamtown each week on two new routes.

From late-2022, subject to regulatory approval, Bonza will operate four flights per week from Newcastle Airport to the Sunshine Coast and twice weekly to the Whitsundays Coast. Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said the decision is a win-win for travellers.

“This is a real coup for our region - Bonza’s vision to connect Australians aligns with Newcastle Airport’s vision to be the airport the region deserves, directly connecting our region to all the places they would like to travel both domestically and internationally.

Bonza is expected to commence flights out of Newcastle from October.

“Australians are exploring their own country now more than ever, and there’s a great opportunity for us to help connect our beautiful region with the rest of Australia,” said Cock.

The budget airline will be based on the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne will focus on routes largely outside of the high-traffic paths taken by market leaders Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin.

It also revealed it will fly 25 routes to 16 destinations around Australia in what it claimed is the largest launch announcement in Australian aviation history.

After today outlining their plans for the people of the Hunter, Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza, says it’s all about giving people who live regionally more choice and great for their hip pocket.

“With two new routes directly in and out of Newcastle Airport, we will be delivering more options for leisure travel. Not only will the flights open up new markets for the region’s tourism industry, but locals will also have the opportunity to explore their own backyard with ultra-low fares,” said Jordan. Bonza will also go paperless with the launch of its own app saying its commitment to technology is part of a broader focus on customer experience and sustainability.

The low-cost airline will also fly two routes from Port Macquarie.

Newcastle Council CEO Jeremy Bath welcomed the announcement, which he says will complement the changing face of the city.

“It’s great that Bonza decided to use Newcastle as a flight destination as I think they realise that a lot of the Sydney population are relocating to the Hunter. It also gives consumers here great cheaper options in such a competitive market,” Bath said. The Mid North Coast is also set to benefit from the launch of the low cost carrier, with Port Macquarie Airport to get four new weekly flights across two routes.

Bonza will operate twice weekly flight from the council-owned and operated airport to both the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.

Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson said the addition will be a big boost to tourism and business in the region.

“We welcome (the) announcement by Bonza to launch its new routes to both the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne from Port Macquarie, that will help service the growing demand for air travel between Queensland, Victoria and the NSW mid-north coast,” Cr Pinson said.

“Bonza’s move to offer this low-cost airline service illustrates significant confidence in our growing region and our booming tourism and business markets. It also shows renewed faith in the re-emergence of regional airline travel following the COVID-19 pandemic.”