Bonza airlines has announced it’ll operate 12 new flight services a week in the NT, improving connectivity for Territorians and boosting tourism.
It will operate three direct routes from Darwin to the Sunshine Coast, Darwin to the Gold Coast and Alice Springs to Melbourne.
The new routes are estimated to add more than 116,000 new seats to the Territory each year.
Airfare prices
Fares which start at $139 one way go on sale today for flights starting from November 29.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan says the low-priced fares are the regular flight costs, not promotional prices.
“We will have higher fares than the $139, not every fare will be at that level, will there be availability at those levels, absolutely yes!,” Mr Jordan says.
“Will there be higher fares the closer you get to departure, yes there absolutely will be.”
“Will they be anywhere near the existing levels of other operators, no they will not, there will be very very significant savings.”
Mr Jordan says the airline’s most expensive fare across all markets is $400 but he remains firm that its rare Territorians will be slugged that much.
“We are about…giving everybody the same opportunity no matter where you live to reconnect with friends and family and to go explore this wonderful big backyard that we have.”
He says the airline’s launch in the Territory has hinged on the NT Government’s Aviation Attraction Scheme and has reaffirmed it is in for the long haul and plans to expand.
“Everything that we’re looking to do is for the long-term and we are certainly hoping that there will be some support available for the longer term.”
The new regional airline is now operating in five jurisdictions across the country, now adding its 20th and 21st destinations on the map.
