Bonza airline opens up a new direct flight route

Budget carrier Bonza Airlines is linking up two of Australia’s star tourist destinations with a new direct route.

Bonza now flies direct from Mackay to the Gold Coast, with the inaugural flight touching down on Thursday.

The Gold Coast, home to stunning beaches, theme parks, and night-life, is now accessible to hundreds of thousands of Australians living and working in the Mackay region, known as a hub for the coal-rich Bowen Basin and a gateway to its own spectacular tourism jewels.

About an hour west of Mackay is Eungella National Park, home to the beloved platypus, and the Sugar City also has its own vast spread of beaches, including popular Cape Hillsborough that transforms into a playground for wallabies in the early morning.

The fares start at $59 one way per person, part of the company’s proclaimed mission to connect communities at “affordable prices”.

“We are thrilled to start connecting the Goldie with Mackay as we continue our mission of connecting communities at affordable prices,” said Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said on Thursday.

Mackay Airport head of operations Adrian Miles said the new service would help travellers make the most of the upcoming festive season.

“Both Mackay and the Gold Coast offer spectacular attractions and activities but they’re also quite unique,” he said.

“While Mackay locals might head to the Coast for adventure parks or surf, travellers from the Gold Coast and northern NSW can now easily visit our region to experience our untouched natural highlights, like Cape Hillsborough, or discover our world-class fishing and beachside camping.”

The flights will run three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The airline is connecting the Gold Coast to multiple destinations across the country.

In August, it announced flights from the southern Queensland party town into Launceston, its first foray into Tasmania.

The new routes follow a rejig to the company’s offerings after a rocky start from its launch in early 2023.

In July, the company announced it would cancel some routes, including its Mackay-Cairns link, and rejig its scheduling as it reassessed how to gain a foothold in the competitive airline market.

“We also know that in the past couple of months, not everyone has had a good experience with Bonza and we need to stare directly into why that is, specifically when we cancel or delay flights,” Bonza chief commercial officer Carly Povey said at the time.

“We will be implementing a range of changes to our schedule from 1 August based on what we have learnt so far and the feedback you’ve given us with regards to route demand.”

Bonza flights are booked through the company’s Fly Bonza app rather than a standard website.