It was a sweet start to the holidays for many Aussie travellers with the launch of Bonza’s new Sunshine Coast to Launceston route connecting the two popular food bowl hotspots directly for the first time.
The new service will operate twice weekly on Monday and Friday with flights from just $89 per person (one way).
To mark the historic occasion, Bonza partnered with the Kenilworth Bakery, famous for its epic 1kg donut challenge, to create a limited edition Bonza ‘hotXnut’ – a cross between a hot cross bun and a donut – to celebrate the agritourism opportunities the new route offers to Australian foodie travellers.
“Aussies are eating their way across our big beautiful backyard and our team of Bonza legends are humbled to help Launnie and Sunny Coast locals get a better taste of both regions. Sunshine Coast and Launceston are steeped in rich paddock-to-plate experiences and home to proud local food and drink producers,” said Tim Jordan, Bonza chief executive officer.
With more than 900 producers calling the Sunshine Coast home, the region has been dubbed Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry with food and drinks crafted by creators dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Launceston has been recognised by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy with an abundance of local producers, a world-class wine region, and low-food miles.
It’s the low-cost airline’s 12th route from its home base at Sunshine Coast Airport and second route from Launceston Airport. The non-stop connection between Sunshine Coast Airport and Launceston Airport makes it easier for Tasmanians to swap their Tassie tuxedos for a surfboard, while Sunny Coasters can chill out and discover Tasmanian treasures across the Apple Isle.
“Our mission is to make air travel affordable for the many, not the few while stimulating new tourism markets, so this service marks the beginning of economic opportunities between the Sunshine Coast and Launceston,” Mr Jordan said.
Sunshine Coast Airport chief executive officer Chris Mills said the new route would be the first direct commercial flight in history between the Sunshine Coast and Tasmania, creating new opportunities for both regions. The first flight from the Sunshine Coast is full and future bookings are looking really strong, Chris said.
Launceston Airport chief executive officer Shane O’Hare said the airport was experiencing a period of rapid growth which Bonza has played a key part in.
“Since the pandemic we’ve doubled our non-stop flight network, with links now to all Australian state capital cities plus Bonza’s holiday hot spots opening up a national network for tourism and freight opportunities.“
