By Katherine Scott
Bonza has launched its first non-regional route: Sunshine Coast-Melbourne
Flights out of Melbourne are set to become more affordable as Bonza launches its first of nine routes from the city.
Bonza's inaugural service between the Sunshine Coast and western Melbourne's Avalon Airport touched down on Tuesday, marking the third route for the airline and the first capital city flight.
The route will operate three times weekly, with seats available to book until late October 2023. Fares start from $79 one way from Melbourne.
The new service adds to Bonza's Whitsundays Coast and Mackay non-stop routes from its home base on the Sunshine Coast.
Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan described the launch as "a significant milestone" for the airline, marking the first of nine new routes planned for Melbourne, including direct services to Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay and Port Macquarie.
The Melbourne-Sunshine Coast service will be the only Melbourne Bonza route operating from Avalon Airport, with the remaining eight routes to launch from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine).
Experts believe the airline will put price pressure on other domestic carriers, despite not competing directly on most routes.
All of Bonza's planned 27 routes are regional with the exception of those operating out of Melbourne.
Avalon Airport chief executive Tony Brun said Bonza's launch will bring competition to the route.
"This launch today provides more choice, competition and opportunities for travellers to enjoy more of this great country," said Brun.
Professor Rico Merkert, an aviation expert at the University of Sydney, stated previously that Bonza's low fares will still set a new benchmark for competing low-cost carriers, regardless of where the flights operate out of.
"[It's] a strong marketing signal to Jetstar and low cost or price sensitive travellers," he noted.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is the only major Australian airport to partner with Bonza. Sydney Airport has no planned routes with Bonza at this stage.
Jordan cited high cost structures as a primary reason for not partnering with Sydney Airport yet.
"We have interest in places like Sydney… however, it has to be on a long-term commercial basis that can support our fares," Jordan said at Bonza's January launch.
"All of the 17 destinations that we've announced, we actually have an airport cost structure which allows us to offer the wonderful fares that you're seeing, and we need that to be able to expand to other airports around the country."
A Sydney Airport spokesperson said they would like to see Bonza operating from Sydney but that the reality is that the airport is one of the most constrained and regulated in the world.
"Demand during peak periods is also very high and that, combined with inefficiencies in the way the current system operates, makes it hard for new entrants to access slots," the spokesperson said.
The challenge for new entrants at Sydney Airport isn't limited to Bonza, but also new international entrants and domestic carriers such as Rex.
Landing slots are allocated by the Airports Coordination Australia (ACA), appointed by the federal government, with slots prioritised to high-capacity aircraft and routes.
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.