Bonza starts recruitment drive as Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport prepares for low-cost flights
Toowoomba is getting closer to securing low-cost flights to three major holiday destinations, after the budget airline handling the trips launched a major recruitment drive.
Business
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New budget airline Bonza has taken a big step toward delivering low-cost flights between Toowoomba and Melbourne, with the company starting a major recruitment drive for pilots and cabin staff.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said the 200 new staff members would be based in either Melbourne or on the Sunshine Coast, working the airline’s new Boeing 737 Max 8s on a number of regional routes.
It comes a month after Bonza announced Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport would be one of its destinations, with flights heading to Melbourne, the Whitsundays and Townsville.
“Recruitment comes at a time when the aviation industry needs a welcome shot in the arm, domestic tourism demand is building and Bonza is fast growing followers excited about our mission to give Aussies more choice when it comes to holidays,” Mr Jordan told The Australian.
“In aviation, it’s hard not to have witnessed the devastating impact of the pandemic on many talented pilots and cabin crew.
“It’s our hope we can provide roles and development opportunities to some of those impacted.”
Mr Jordan claimed more than 5000 people had registered their interest in working for Bonza.
The company is still in the process of securing its regulatory approvals from government agencies.
Wagner Corporation’s executive general manager Damian Bell said the recruitment drive was a good sign that Bonza would be in the air soon.
“We’re still waiting on Bonza to get their regulatory approvals but it would be a tremendous opportunity for people to be connected to Melbourne and Townsville,” he said.
“Recruitment is a great signal they’re confident around their regulatory approvals, and we welcome them advancing that to service the Darling Downs.”
Bonza would be the second airline this year to start flying from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, after QantasLink restarted flights to Sydney from the start of the week.
The carrier will have the capacity to take nearly 900 people between the two destinations using its De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 plane over 10 flights during the week and two trips on the weekend.
Mr Bell said the return of Qantas would be a boost for both tourism and business operators.
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