Tamworth to Sunshine Coast route launched today
A boot scootin' finale for Bonza's home base roll out
Sat 06 May 2023
Bonza’s first flight from Tamworth to the Sunshine Coast today was the 13th and final to launch as part of the low-cost carrier’s initial roll out from its home base. The airline is now operating 39 flights per week from its ‘backyard’ - Sunshine Coast Airport - including Albury, Avalon, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast.
The new service between Tamworth and Sunshine Coast will operate twice weekly on Tuesday and Friday with fares starting from $49 per person (one way).
Onboard today’s historic flight was Bonza’s Chief Commercial Officer Carly Povey who hinted that there are more routes to come in the future.
“Today we complete the roll out of our initial route map from our Sunshine Coast base. Customer feedback and support from the community has been phenomenal. Now all 13 routes are wheels up from the Sunny Coast, our team of legends are focussing on earning the right to grow,” said Povey.
From the first-ever Bonza flight on 31 January to Whitsunday Coast until the end of April, the airline carried over 60,000 travellers in and out of the Sunshine Coast. Some of the busiest routes include Sunshine Coast to Albury, Avalon, Cairns, Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Townsville.
“Forward bookings for winter, including the July school holidays, are also looking healthy particularly as Victorians (like myself) seek out winter sun in Queensland,” added Povey.
In terms of the onboard experience, customer feedback rates the cabin crew legends highly amongst the features of the brand new aircraft including charging and USB plugs on all seats. The all Aussie menu ordered on-demand via the Fly Bonza app and delivered to customers’ seats is also a hit.
“Both our cabin crew legends and customers are loving the absence of a traditional trolley in the aisle. Nowhere ever have I heard a customer ask to bring back the trolley!,” she added.
The most popular item on the all Aussie menu is the Silver Tongue Foods lavosh crackers - made on the Sunshine Coast. In fact, more than 65kg of these crackers have been sold - more than the weight of four front nose wheel tyres of the Bonza aircraft.
Povey revealed that more than 790 litres of beer, or 16 kegs, has been sold onboard including brews from Your Mates Brewing, Spinifex, Ballistic and Heaps Normal. Enough ‘Snags in a Bag’ have been sold that if laid end to end, they would be longer than six Boeing 737-8 aircraft. Proving travellers love a tipple, nearly 350L of Sirromet wine has been enjoyed onboard - that's about one and a half oak barrels. The Aussie Biscuits are also a hit - if the amount sold were stacked on top of one another, would be taller than the top of the tail on Bonza’s aircraft.
To celebrate the launch milestone, customers from Tamworth were welcomed by a troupe of Sunshine Coast line dancers and musicians from the Gympie Music Muster - who are excited about the opportunities the new route brings to connect country music communities in both locations.
Speaking on the significance of today’s flight, and the completion of Bonza’s initial roll out from the Sunshine Coast, was Airport CEO Andrew Brodie.
“We are delighted to welcome the first flight from Tamworth to the Sunshine Coast as Bonza connects these two communities and opens up opportunities for locals to enjoy events like the Gympie Music Muster or the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“Bonza is now wheels up from its home base marking a major milestone for the airport as we look forward to a bright future with Australia's newest airline, future infrastructure upgrades and the 2032 Olympics. My message to locals on the Sunshine Coast is to get behind Bonza and forget the long car rides or connecting flights via major city airports. It’s time to explore your own backyard with low-cost flights direct from the Sunshine Coast,” Brodie said.
Povey took the opportunity to thank Brodie and his team at Sunshine Coast Airport for their support.
“Our partnership with Sunshine Coast Airport as Bonza’s home base is nothing short of Bonza. The collaboration and support from the airport to get Bonza wheels up has been incredible, right from ground operations to marketing and community engagement. We would like to thank them for their ongoing partnership and look forward to a Bonza future together,” said Povey.
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.
