Melbourne Foodies Experience a Curated Taste of the Sunshine Coast as First Bonza Flight Touches Down

Rolling out the welcome mat to the first official Bonza flight from Melbourne, the Sunshine Coast gave passengers a taste of the many foodie delights they will find on our doorstep, while enjoying our world-class beaches and beautiful weather.

Officially launching the Sunshine Coast’s most highly coveted foodie experience, The Curated Plate, which will feature many of the region's top food producers and chefs, passengers arriving from Melbourne were given a taste of what to expect in late July when the event kicks off.

Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Andrew Brodie is delighted this new route for Bonza will provide travellers with greater options to experience the Sunshine Coast and importantly will provide greater alternatives for locals to experience Melbourne.

“There is an affinity, for the Sunshine Coast region, that exists with Melbournians and that extends beyond our amazing beaches, weather and lifestyle. Visitors want to taste and enjoy our local foods and are willing to immerse themselves in the experience.

“The Curated Plate will welcome people here in late-July for ten days of truly remarkable foodie experiences and this new route from Melbourne, that Bonza have commenced as of today, will provide alternative options for travellers.

“Just as Melbournians love visiting us, people from the Sunshine Coast relish the opportunity to get away to Melbourne to enjoy the wide array of experiences and cultural offerings available there.

“This route is an important economic enabler for our region and will see an increase in passenger numbers arriving into the Sunshine Coast with more than 75,000 seats available between the two destinations,” Mr Brodie said.

Bonza CEO, Tim Jordan, who was on board this flight said, “Demand is high for Aussies to travel domestically and as the cooler months are upon us, Melbournites can now take a low cost flight to the Sunshine Coast for direct access to winter sun.”

The first Bonza inaugural flight between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne is one of 13 destinations Bonza will service from their home base on the Sunshine Coast and will operate four times per week for SE Queenslanders wanting a Melbourne getaway.

Ms. Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport

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.