Bonza Airlines has cited uncertainty around WA’s border reopening for not having any services to the state in its initial offering of 25 routes to 16 destinations across three Australian states.
Despite its headline promise of “here for Allstralia” the airline chief executive, Tim Jordan conceded that routes into WA depended upon appropriate border arrangements and commercial negotiations with airports.
“There are very proactive airports in WA and we have been in serious discussions but we need border clarity,” Mr. Jordan said.
While declining to name the airports they are known to include Perth, Busselton, and Broome.
“We are committed to all of Australia and growth is certainly on the radar and based on the reception we have had we are really excited about what we can achieve,” Mr. Jordan said.
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Bonza’s first five 737s will be in service by September with a further three to follow to the following six months.
The airline expects its first flight to take off mid-year.
The airline will have two bases initially at Sunshine Coast Airport and Melbourne Airport and the initial routes are across Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Incredibly 96 percent of routes are new to low-cost carriers and 80 percent of the routes are currently unserved.
The announcement increases the number of low-cost-carrier routes in Australia by 40 per cent.
Bonza’s destinations are; Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville, and the Whitsunday Coast.
“Since announcing Bonza to the world late last year, we’ve always said we wouldn’t just fly between Australia’s three largest cities and instead give people in the regions more choice. Today we deliver on that promise, with the largest launch announcement in Australian aviation history,” Mr. Jordan said.
Rick Howell from 777 Partners - and Bonza’s executive chairman - the investment company backing Bonza – said; “777 Partners firmly believe in the opportunity that Bonza presents to democratize air travel for all Aussies and provide independent choice to a market long deprived of it. Today, Bonza proves its commitment to do just that.
“Our new fleet of 737 MAX aircraft, the youngest, most technologically advanced, and most efficient in Australia, will ensure more Aussies get to travel at low prices but with the bar set high on the quality of their experience with us.
“We're investing in advanced aircraft to bring the opportunity for low fares along with great environmental efficiencies,” Mr. Howell said.
On growth, Mr. Jordan said that 777 Partners has 68 firm orders for the 737 and another 30 options for its global airline operations.
“This is the small tip of what we can do across Australia and this is a whole new business model for Australia,” Mr. Jordan said.
He added that the airline had been overwhelmed with applications to join Bonza.
“We have over 6000 expressions of interest.”
The airline has also been bombarded on social media from communities around Australia asking for the airline to introduce a service.
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