Travellers Can Now Take Off For Tropical North Queensland As Flights From The Sunshine Coast To Cairns Commence

For tourists and locals a trip to Tropical North Queensland, out of the Sunshine Coast, is now easier than ever thanks to Bonza’s new service to Cairns which commenced services today from their home base at Sunshine Coast Airport.

Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Andrew Brodie welcomed this new route, noting that both locals and visitors alike see Tropical North Queensland as a destination of choice, and the new direct flights to Cairns are set to make air travel more affordable and accessible for travellers.

This direct route is a major milestone that will see an increase in passenger numbers arriving into the Sunshine Coast with more than 105,000 seats available between the two destinations.

“Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is a travel destination for not only Sunshine Coast locals but for people from all over the world, and getting there just got a whole lot easier,” Mr Brodie said.

“For locals, it means they don’t have to go south to fly north and for visitors to the region, who want to explore further north, they can now do so easily and affordably.

“This new route is a game changer, in terms of the ease in which travel can be facilitated through Sunshine Coast Airport, and it will have a positive impact on the economy of both regions which are highly sought after destinations.”

“We know that travellers will welcome this new Bonza route, and locals are telling me they have been eagerly waiting for these flights so they can enjoy a long weekend away up north. In much the same way that direct flights to Proserpine are allowing people to have a weekend away in Airlie Beach, a weekend in Tropical North Queensland is now a great alternative for locals wanting a quick escape,” Mr Brodie said.

Bonza CEO, Tim Jordan who is also traveling on each of the first flights said, “People of the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Moreton Bay and Brisbane are booking direct flights from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns for as low as $79 per person one way. Why wouldn’t you, when for less than a tank of fuel you can be transported to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef?”

“In return, locals from Cairns and surrounds are taking advantage of low cost fares to the Sunshine Coast to take in the plethora of surf beaches, craft breweries or to see friends and family more often,” added Jordan. 

The first inaugural flight between the Sunshine Coast and Cairns and is one of 13 destinations Bonza will service from their home base on the Sunshine Coast and will operate five times per week including a Friday to Monday option for SE Queenslanders wanting a weekend away.

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.