Sunshine Coast Airport and Melbourne Airport named as first and second airport basesBonza - 25 routes and 16 destinations revealed across QLD, VIC and NSW
- 96% of routes are new to low-cost-carriers and 80% of routes are currently unserviced
- Bonza’s announcement increases the number of low-cost-carrier routes in Australia by 40%
- Bonza’s head office, aptly named Bonza’s Backyard, to be located at Sunshine Coast Airport - Australia’s first carbon neutral airport
- Fly Bonza app launched as part of commitment to a paperless experience
Bonza, Australia’s only independent low-cost carrier, has this week made the largest launch announcement in Australian aviation history by revealing its route map, airport bases, head office location and all-digital approach.
Sunshine Coast Airport has been named the home base with an initial two based aircraft and Bonza’s head office. Melbourne Airport is named the second airport base to welcome two of Bonza’s fleet of Boeing 737 MAX.
Twenty five routes will take Australian travellers, including only one capital city, to 16 destinations: Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast. The route map accounts for the first five aircraft and Bonza plans to operate up to eight in its first year of operation. In a show of intent to raise the bar high in terms of customer experience, Bonza will dedicate one aircraft as a spare.
“Since announcing Bonza to the world late last year, we’ve always said we wouldn’t just fly between Australia’s three largest cities and instead give people in the regions more choice. Today we deliver on that promise, with the largest launch announcement in Australian aviation history,” says Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza.
From Bonza’s initial route network, 96% of routes will welcome a low-cost carrier. Eighty percent of routes are completely unserved and therefore Bonza will open up entirely new markets for destinations across three states. In the most telling sign that Bonza is here to offer choice to Aussies, the network will increase low-cost carrier operated routes by 40%.
To mark the launch, Bonza also unveiled its brand new 737 MAX aircraft with finishing touches applied. The purple theme was continued on the Sunshine Coast with the Big Pineapple going purple to mark the historic aviation news.
Speaking on today’s news, Rick Howell from 777 Partners (and Bonza’s Executive Chairman) - the investment company backing Bonza - said: “777 Partners firmly believe in the opportunity that Bonza presents to democratise air travel for all Aussies and provide independent choice to a market long deprived of it. Today, Bonza proves its commitment to do just that.
“Our brand new fleet of 737 MAX aircraft, the youngest, most technologically advanced and most efficient in Australia, will ensure more Aussies get to travel at low prices but with the bar set high on the quality of their experience with us. Although some airlines in the past have connected the two, low cost travel does not mean low quality travel. We're investing in advanced aircraft to bring the opportunity for low fares along with great environmental efficiencies."
The location of Bonza’s head office at Sunshine Coast Airport was also revealed today. In true Bonza style, the office won’t be a traditional set-up and instead is being coined the ‘Bonza Backyard’. Today’s news will bring future job opportunities to the Sunshine Coast as well as provide a ‘home’ for ‘Bonza Legends’ to collaborate in person as needed, with a large proportion of roles to be based virtually all over the country.
“The Bonza Backyard at Sunshine Coast Airport provides us with an ideal base for our virtual workforce to come together - just as Aussies do in their own backyards,” said Jordan.
Jordan also shared Bonza’s decision to advocate for a paperless experience, with the launch of its own app saying its commitment to technology is part of a broader focus on customer experience and sustainability: “We encourage everyone to download the new app to be the first in the know for flights going on sale, fare sales, destination news and travel tips. We are also giving people the chance to win flights”.
Once all functions are added to the app in the coming weeks, it will be where Aussies can plan, book and manage their bookings. It’ll also be where travellers can check in and access their boarding passes - eliminating the need for unnecessary printing and reducing the need to check-in at the airport. Once onboard, the retail offering, travel information and much more will be available exclusively through the app.
Australians are encouraged to download the app “Fly Bonza” on the Apple App Store or Google Play now and keep an eye out for updates as new functions are added. Flights are due to go on sale within the next two months, with Bonza’s first flight targeted for mid-year subject to regulatory approval.
- Giant Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast going purple
- Big Banana in Coffs Harbour going purple
- Lifesavers on Noosa Main Beach in 'Bonza Budgies and Cozzies'
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