Flights starting from just $69 per person (one way)
Bonza launches Melbourne to Port Macquarie route
Thu 04 May 2023
Event goers can rejoice with the introduction of a new direct route between Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Port Macquarie allowing travellers to catch culture, food and sporting events with flights starting from just $69 per person (one way).
The service will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays allowing travellers to enjoy long weekends in both locations.
At Port Macquarie to greet the flight full of customers, was local performing artists Gordo and Lucy Gamsby who said the flight was a game changer for locals and the arts community. The pair run the Tortuga Festival and perform at Port Macquarie’s Art Walk event held annually in June.
“We are seeing great demand from travellers on both directions of this new route. With fares starting from $69 per person, the low-cost service is allowing communities to connect including the arts and culture communities with direct access to a long list of events and festivals,” said Tim Jordan who flew with customers back to Melbourne.
“Our team of legends are thrilled that Aussies are embracing Bonza as we continue our mission to provide affordable air travel to the many, not the few,” added Jordan.
Customers onboard were a mix of people mostly travelling for holiday and visiting friends and family. They were treated to a performance by the Gamsby duo as they disembarked the aircraft.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council CEO Dr Clare Allen said the arrival of Bonza from Melbourne would ignite great interest among locals.
“Bonza’s arrival today from Melbourne Airport is a game-changer for our region, providing for the first time in history a direct link between the Port Macquarie Hastings and Victoria,” she said.
“With direct flights already servicing Sydney and Brisbane, it is wonderful to see Melbourne - now Australia’s largest city - added to this list of destinations and I look forward to seeing the opportunities that this will create for our local tourism and business economies.”
The route is the second to launch from Bonza’s second base at Melbourne Airport this week with Tamworth introduced on Tuesday.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said: “Melbourne prides itself on being Australia’s capital of major events, food, sport and culture, so there really is something here for everyone.”
“But we also think there will be plenty of Victorians keen for a taste of everything Port Macquarie has to offer, so it’s exciting to see our two parts of the world directly connected.”
Bonza will wrap up the introduction of its initial 27 routes to 17 destinations on 23 May after launching services between Tamworth and Sunshine Coast (6 May), Melbourne and Mildura (8 May), Bundaberg (10 May), Gladstone (11 May) and Mackay (23 May).
Travellers are encouraged to download the Fly Bonza app which is the only place to book direct.
Bonza - Australia’s new, and only independent low-cost airline, enabling Australians to explore more of their own backyard, and at low-cost prices. Bonza’s initial route map includes 27 routes to 17 destinations. Ninety three per cent of Bonza routes are not currently served by any airline and 96% not currently served by a low-cost carrier. The only place to book direct is on the Fly Bonza app.
