The arrival of Bonza’s second B737 at Sunshine Coast Airport, the carrier’s airport hub and head office home is an encouraging indicator that the airline is getting closer to receiving launch certification from CASA.
Australian Aviation reported that Bonza’s first 737 had been quietly going up and down the east coast all week.
The airline had hoped to begin operations last month but was unable to because it lacked the necessary Air Operators Certificate.
On the other hand, the arrival of a second B737 aircraft suggests Bonza feels a breakthrough is on the way.
It comes after the airline launched a website earlier this month where travel agents may register to work and sell the airline.
Bonza will compete with airlines like Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin, and Rex, primarily inside capital cities, by providing service on “point-to-point” leisure routes.
Twenty-five of Bonza’s twenty-seven routes (or 93% of the network) are not served by any other airline, and any other low-cost carrier does not operate 96%. On average, flights cost about $50 per hour.
The inaugural Bonza route map includes the following destinations: Melbourne, Avalon, the Sunshine Coast, Mildura, Albury, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Mackay, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Townsville, the Whitsunday Coast, Bundaberg, Gladstone, and Toowoomba.
Earlier in August, Bonza got its first aircraft, for which the airline sought public aid in selecting a nickname and urging everyone to write comments on the Bonza social media accounts with their preferred names; ultimately, the name “Shazza” was chosen.
What is Bonza going to call this one? Dazza?