Australia's new low-cost airline Bonza unveils 25 new routes

Australia's new low-cost carrier Bonza has  marked its arrival into Australia’s competitive aviation market with a massive launch providing Aussie travellers with a new cheaper airline with frequent, expansive routes around the country.

Bonza has revealed it will fly 25 routes to 16 destinations around Australia in what it has claimed is "the largest launch announcement in Australian aviation history". It will kick off with 25 routes taking Australian travellers beyond our capital cities including Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast. 

The budget airline – which is due to be flying from October this year – will be based on the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne and will focus on routes largely outside the high-traffic paths taken by current market leaders Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin.

The low-cost carrier said it would operate a fleet of brand new Boeing 737 Max aircraft, funded by investment company 777 Partners.

"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," said Bonza's Executive Chairman and 777 Partners Executive Rick Howell.

"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."

Melbourne will be the only capital city Bonza will fly to, along with 15 other destinations including Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast.

Jetstar currently holds the title as Australia’s go-to low cost carrier, making Bonza the airline’s first competitor since the closure of Tiger Airways in March 2020. Prior the announcement of Bonza, Rex Regional Express, Skytrans and Qantaslink currently service Australia’s regional routes.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan promised "ultra-low fares" for people who needed to fly to regional centres.

"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," Mr Jordan said.

"With destinations ranging from Albury to the Whitsundays, travellers will now be able to fly, instead of impossibly long road trips as well as fly direct without a stopover in a major city," Mr Jordan said.

"Aussies can look forward to enjoying more time at their destination and spending less of their hard earned cash getting there in the first place."

Speaking on today’s news, Rick Howell from 777 Partners and Bonza’s Executive Chairman expressed his excitement at the prospect of Aussies travelling more frequently, for less.

“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.”

Bonza has yet to announce its first flight. However the airline has launched its own app where travellers can book and check in, access fare sales, destination news and travel tips. There will also be opportunities to win free flights.

You can download the app “Fly Bonza” on the Apple App Store or Google Play now.

Flights are due to go on sale within the next two months, with Bonza’s first flight set to take off mid-2022.