With just a few months until new low-cost airline, Bonza, starts bringing an additional seven weekly flights to the Whitsundays, the aviation company’s Chief Commercial Operator Carly Povey met with over 100 tourism operators at a celebratory networking evening hosted by Tourism Whitsundays and Shute Harbour Marine Terminal on Tuesday.
The Sunshine Coast based airline will be launching eight aircraft by the middle of the year and servicing 25 new routes to 16 destinations across the country.
Determined to link previously unserviced regional areas, Ms Povey said they are looking forward to connecting Australia like never before.
“Of the 15 largest global airline markets, Australia was the only one with only one low-cost airline,” she said.
“This showed there was a lack of choice and a pent-up demand - Australia is not well connected and we see huge opportunity in linking region to region or major city to region.”
Ms Povey went on to add that in 2010 there were 58 low-cost routes in Australia and although some of the destinations have changed in the past decade, there are still only 58 routes – this shows zero per cent growth, compared to 258 per cent growth in the United States.
Bonza is a Sunshine Coast based company and has Miami-based investors called 777 Partners who hold a diverse portfolio of 55 other companies, one of which includes a low-cost airline in Canada.
With this backing, Bonza has the flexibility to grow easily within the market.
“They want to democratise air travel for all Australians,” said Ms Povey.
While focusing on a low-cost business model with the average one-hour flight just $50, Bonza will also be introducing brand-new 186-seater planes that are fitted with leather seats.
“We offer low fares but great value and genuine care,” said Ms Povey
“We are an app only airline, totally paperless which is a win for sustainability and operate the newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft.”
Bonza will soon provide weekly connections to Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Newcastle with increased destinations expected to be announced over the next few years.
Mayor Andrew Willcox with Bonza Chief Commercial Operator Carly Povey at Tourism Whitsundays networking night on Tuesday
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