Holiday Makers Rejoice as Direct Flights to Port Macquarie From Sunshine Coast Airport Commence Saving Travellers Time and Money

With school holidays in NSW and Qld in full swing, taking the family on vacation just got a whole lot easier thanks to the latest Bonza flight that takes to the skies heading to Port Macquarie later today.

Today’s flight will be the first inaugural flight between the Sunshine Coast and Port Macquarie and is one of 13 destinations Bonza will service from their home base on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Andrew Brodie said today’s flight will have a major impact on both regions, making air travel affordable and accessible and increasing the passenger numbers arriving into the Sunshine Coast.

“The Sunshine Coast is a highly sought after holiday destination from people all over Australia and this service will allow travellers to fly directly from Port Macquarie, removing the complexity of getting here by air.

“Previously you had to either drive the eight hours here from Port Macquarie, or you had to drive four hours to Sydney and catch a plane to Brisbane and then drive here - either way, it wasn't easy to travel between the two destinations. Now you can do it from as little as $49 one way!

“With more than 39,000 seats available between the two destinations it’s a boost for both regions.

“While both regions are renowned for their pristine beaches, each location has characteristics that make them iconic holiday destinations. The Sunshine Coast has an abundance of things to see and do including the Big Pineapple, Australia Zoo, and Wildlife HQ, Port Macquarie has the famous Koala Hospital, Bago Maze and Winery, and the Billabong Zoo & Wildlife Park.

“The Sunshine Coast hosts a lot of national and state sporting events and with the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships returning to the Sunshine Coast in 2024, getting here from Port Macquarie just got a whole lot easier,” Mr Brodie said.

Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza who greeted customers as the flight landed said, “Today is a great day for Aussies who can travel in their own backyard for quintessential Aussie experiences that don’t cost the earth. Port Macquarie is famous for its Koala Hospital who in addition to helping injured and sick koalas, are open to the public so travellers can learn more about these national treasures. Both destinations are the perfect places to soak up some of the country’s best beaches whether you choose to build sandcastles with the kids or catch a few waves.”

The first inaugural flight between the Sunshine Coast and Port Macquarie and is one of 13 destinations Bonza will service from their home base on the Sunshine Coast and will operate two times per week including a Wednesday to Saturday option for SE Queenslanders wanting a mid week getaway.

With Bonza anticipated to bring an additional 772,000 seats to the Sunshine Coast and generate an estimated $86million in domestic visitor spend in the first 12 months, bringing the Airport Master Plan 2040 to life is a priority for Mr Brodie.

“We are embarking on a period of significant growth and change which will benefit all of SE Qld and we are only just getting started. The first stage was completed in June 2020 when we opened the new longer and wider runway and over the coming years our domestic terminal will double in size, there will be an expansion of the Aerospace Precinct and our Southern Gateway will start to take shape.

“In fact, we will be investing up to $1B in infrastructure which will have a significant impact on the regional economy. We will create jobs, attract investment and support the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are building a legacy for generations to come and the Sunshine Coast Airport will play a pivotal role in firmly putting the Sunshine Coast on the map as a destination for business and pleasure.

“Our partnership with Bonza is an important milestone in our long term plans for Sunshine Coast Airport which will see us welcome greater volumes of travellers, opening up opportunities not previously available.

“We cannot wait to welcome visitors from across Australia traveling on these brand new routes,” Mr Brodie said.