iscover
Bonza’s long-delayed route between Darwin and the Gold Coast is finally underway.
Flight AB1647 from the Gold Coast touched down shortly before midnight on Tuesday night aboard VH-UKH ‘Malc’. The launch of Bonza’s Gold Coast–Darwin services, which were initially due to begin late last year, was delayed twice due to issues with CASA certification and capacity constraints.
Bonza will operate two return flights per week between the two cities, with Gold Coast-Darwin complementing the carrier’s Sunshine Coast–Darwin and Melbourne–Alice Springs services into the Northern Territory.
“We’re Australia’s only independent low-cost airline and we’re working hard to bring more choices for Gold Coast and Darwin customers with the introduction of affordable flights between these two iconic locations,” said Tim Jordan, Bonza CEO.
“We thank the Northern Territory Government for its Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme that will create jobs, boost NT tourism and increase competition in the NT skies, which is a win for all travellers.”
Amelia Evans, CEO of Gold Coast Airport owner Queensland Airports Limited, said the new route will provide “considerable economic, tourism and business opportunities” between the two regions.
“The Gold Coast to Darwin route has long been an underserved market, so we are thrilled that Bonza has recognised its potential,” said Ms Evans.
“This direct service signifies a new era of convenient connectivity for travellers – eliminating the need for transits and more time to enjoy both regions.”
Bonza had intended to start services between Darwin and the Gold Coast on 1 December but pushed the launch date back due to delays in the regulatory approval for its wet leasing agreement with sister Canadian airline Flair, which also postponed the launch of its Gold Coast base to later in the month.
The airline then postponed Gold Coast-Darwin again days before its revised launch date of 2 January, saying the route would put a “strain on [its] current capacity”.
Speaking to the Australian Aviation Podcast earlier this year, Jordan said the botched Gold Coast launch was a “significant learning experience” for the airline.
“We are recovering and rebuilding from that; we’ve got some making up to do with certainly the community on the Gold Coast. What we did do right, is that we did localise a lot of the pain associated with that delay to the Gold Coast,” he said.
“It means we’ve got more making up to do with the Gold Coast, but it means that in terms of our other two bases, Melbourne Tullamarine and of course the Sunshine Coast, the integrity of the operation was pretty much intact – but I would still say that there’s an element of recovery and learning before we reboot and go again.”
Listen to our full “Bonzaversary” interview with Tim Jordan on the Australian Aviation Podcast or read the feature in the latest issue of Australian Aviation magazine.
