Almost ten days after obtaining its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the startup Bonza Airline started marketing its first scheduled commercial flights.
Through its app FlyBonza, the company is now marketing services to twelve airports and fifteen air routes. The first available flight, between Sunshine Coast (MCY) and Whitsunday Coast (PPP), is scheduled for Tuesday 31 January. Customers will be able to book scheduled itineraries until October 2023, the company said in a press release.
Initially, Bonza will offer flights between one of its two hubs, Sunshine Coast Airport, located 90 kilometres from the centre of Brisbane, and Melbourne, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Whitsundays, Rockhampton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Albury, Tamworth, Avalon and Mildura.
“We are delighted to be delivering on our commitment to make air travel more accessible”, said Carly Povey, Bonza’s CCO. “We promised choice and better connectivity to the regions for less and we’ve been beyond delighted with the support for our mission”, she added.
The inauguration of the new airline’s services represents a significant change in the Australian domestic airline market, with 93% of its routes currently not served by any other operator. Meanwhile, 96% of them are not served by any low-cost carrier.
Povey said: “We are committed to low cost fares which will in turn, stimulate new markets for Australia’s domestic tourism industry”.
The airline said ticket sales for flights from its other hub, Melbourne’s Tullamarine International Airport (MEL), will begin in the coming weeks.
