Travellers’ options beefed up with Bonza’s launch of Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton
Posted on March 14th, 2023
Tuesday 14 March: Rocky was served on the rocks last night as a purple party, complete with obligatory purple cocktails, took flight from Sunshine Coast Airport directly to Rockhampton for the first time ever.
Bonza’s latest route to launch saw excited customers fly to Australia’s beef capital which is also the gateway to Great Keppel Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef and inland to Emerald.
“Our team of legends are so excited to get this new route off the ground as it opens up a world of opportunities for holiday makers in both regions. Rocky is relatively undiscovered when you think of all the activities on offer within a short drive from the airport and the Sunshine Coast and nearby Moreton Bay region are packed with experiences from the beach to the hinterland,” said Tim Jordan who flew with customers today.
Jordan challenged travellers to change their travel behaviours by ditching the car for a low cost flight.
“Bonza is here to change travelling behaviours by making air travel affordable to the many, not the few. Rocky and Sunny Coast residents can now ditch the impossibly long drive along the Bruce Highway with a faster, more comfortable and low-cost option.
“I was lucky enough to meet a grandmother on a recent Bonza flight who told me she paid more for her cab ride to the airport than she did for her flight. There are plenty of families in Rockhampton and the Sunny Coast looking to reconnect more often, and we’re humbled to help,” he said.
The purple cocktails were served by local Sunshine Coast producers Sunshine & Sons and Your Mates Brewing who feature on the airline’s all Aussie menu. There to keep hunger pains at bay were Silver Tongue Foods whose lavosh crackers also feature on Bonza’s locally sourced menu.
There to welcome Bonza’s first customers was Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams and Airport Chair Councillor Neil Fisher.
“This new direct route connecting Rockhampton to the Sunshine Coast is an exciting win for the people of Central Queensland. To be able to connect travellers between our two regions and make it possible for passengers to explore their own backyard with airfares cheaper than a tank of fuel is such welcome news”, Mayor Williams said.
Airport Chair Councillor Neil Fisher said this route will be very popular with friends and family travellers, as well as those travelling for business and FIFO purposes.
“Jumping on a plane for a weekend getaway or travelling for work has now never been easier. This new direct route is what travellers have been longing for – we can’t wait to welcome more people to sunny CQ and show them what our amazing region has to offer,” Cr Fisher said.
His sentiments were echoed by the region’s peak tourism and economic development organisation who has welcomed Bonza with open arms: “Bonza has provided an incredible opportunity to our destination in attracting more visitors from our source markets,” said Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll.
“By offering an affordable and quick alternative to driving to the Beef Capital, visitors can also experience coastal villages, sub-tropical islands, ancient limestone caves, native wildlife parks, rainforest and the Southern Great Barrier Reef all within an hour from Rockhampton.”
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Andrew Brodie said the new route was another gain for Sunshine Coast locals and industry who will benefit from the inbound and outbound traffic on Bonza’s new route.
“These regional routes are providing travellers with greater choice and access to services they have never experienced before and for many it’s life-changing. The fact that passengers can take a flight directly to the Sunshine Coast from Rockhampton, without the added cost or travel time of having to go to Brisbane first, means more people are likely to travel.
“What is nearly a seven hour road trip can now be done in just over an hour and for many travellers this will mean that the tyranny of distance, which up until now has prevented them from regularly seeing loved ones, is no longer an impediment to travel,” Mr Brodie said.
Travellers are encouraged to download the Fly Bonza app which is the only place to book direct.
