Category Archives: Bonza

Bonza receives its AOC, will set a start date soon

Bonza on January 12 received its air operators certificate (AOC) from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The new airline has not yet issued a start date.

The airline issued this statement:

We are thrilled to announce Bonza has achieved its Air Operator Certificate from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). We’re now preparing to go on sale for the first time with our Sunshine Coast base.

With the approval from CASA, 2023 is set to be an even bigger year for domestic tourism. We can’t wait to connect communities and in turn, stimulate new markets for Australia’s domestic tourism industry.

As we get ready to go on sale via the Fly Bonza app, we’d like to thank our team of legends who have worked tirelessly to achieve regulatory approval. We’re proud of their professionalism and expertise whilst working closely with CASA who do incredibly important work regulating Australian aviation.

Our digital approach means the only place to book direct is via the app – so if you haven’t already, get your thumbs out, download the app and stay tuned for more exciting news. It’s going to be Bonza!

Top Copyright Photo: Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VH-UIK (msn 43975) BFI (Nick Dean). Image: 958734.

Bonza aircraft photo gallery:

Bonza still awaits its AOC, no start date

Bonza, the new proposed low-cost airline in Australia, is still pursuing its regulatory approvals with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).

Bonza’s CEO Tim Jordan said he was unsure when flights will commence. The airline had hoped to be airborne by the end of this year.

The new airline will have bases at the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.

Previously on October 4, 2022, Bonza announced a four year sponsorship deal with Australian A-League Men’s football club Melbourne Victory.

Top Copyright Photo: Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VH-UJK (msn 43974) BFI (Nick Dean). Image: 959428.

Bonza aircraft slide show:

Bonza names its third Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 “Sheila” as it awaits its AOC

Bonza made this announcement on social media:

We asked Aussie travellers on social media to pick their favourite name from a shortlist and the winner was Sheila. It was a tight race with Bruce, Kimmy, and Robbo not too far behind.

This purple beauty joins our growing fleet of Boeing 737-MAX 8 planes including our first aircraft – Shazza and recent arrival Bazza, who touched down at Sunshine Coast Airport last week.

The new Australian carrier is awaiting the arrival of its AOC. A start date is dependent on the successful completion of the AOC process.

Top Copyright Photo: Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VH-UIK (msn 43975) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 959306.

Bonza aircraft slide show:

Bonza’s first aircraft touches down in Australia

Bonza made this announcement on Social media:

Bonza’s first aircraft has touched down in Australia for the very first time.
Flight AB 001 landed at Bonza’s Backyard, Sunshine Coast Airport, on August 1. Now this purple beauty needs a name.
Calling all Shazzas, Kimbos, Maccas… Do you have a ripper nickname that would look good on the side of our brand new aircraft? Let us nick your nickname! Share in the comments below and we will be asking our Bonza Local Legends to vote for their favourites.
Boeing released this statement:

Boeing has delivered the first 737-8 airplane to Bonza, a new carrier that becomes the first Australian airline to fly the new 737 MAX. Today, Bonza held an arrival ceremony to commemorate the milestone and welcome the arrival of the fuel-efficient 737-8 at its Sunshine Coast base.

The 737-8 will enable Bonza to optimize its domestic operations, while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% and creating a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to previous generation airplanes. The 737 MAX family has the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other aerodynamic enhancements to improve performance and reduce operating costs. More than 40 airlines globally are operating the 737 MAX, which has made over 720,000 revenue flights totaling more than 1.8 million flight hours since late 2020.

Based in Australia’s Sunshine Coast, Bonza has signaled a commitment to add seven 737 MAX airplanes to its fleet within its first year of operation. The airline is working hard to commence flights as soon as late September subject to regulatory approval. The airline has also launched a nationwide contest on social media platforms to ask locals to help name its airplanes.

Bonza prepares to take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 now painted, unveils its ‘wear it your way’ uniforms

LOT SP-SVO NTU, to become VH-UJT

Bonza (Melbourne) is a new airline backed by 777 Partners of Miami that is preparing to launch operations in September 2022 to underserved markets in Australia.

The new airline is getting ready to take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8.

The pictured N5515X has now been painted by Boeing pending delivery as VH-UJT.

In other news, the upstart has introduced its uniforms;

Bonza, Australia’s only independent low-cost airline, has thrown out the rule book as they reveal their first-ever uniform. The ‘wear it your way’ range, featuring Australian aviation’s first-ever on-trend white custom sneakers and cotton t-shirts, allows Bonza legends to let their individual personalities shine with various ‘mix and match’ options.

“Our brief was clear. Create a uniform that Bonza legends will wear with pride. We know airline uniforms are the land that time forgot and we wanted to change that with our partners at Total Image Group,” said Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza.

Povey went on to say there will be no ‘grooming guide’ for legends and instead cabin crew, pilots, operation centre and office staff will be able to style various looks depending on where they’re travelling to, their mood on the day and personalities.

“We won’t dictate what lipstick to wear – or whether you have to wear lipstick at all. We won’t ask crew to cover up their tattoos and just because you’re female, that doesn’t mean you have to wear a skirt. If you’re non-binary, pregnant, work in the office or onboard, we have options for you. Bonza is for the many not the few, and that’s what you’ll see with our first-ever uniforms,” added Povey.

In a nod to the many tropical Queensland destinations on Bonza’s route map, the looks include tailored shorts which can be worn with the white cotton t-shirt and blazer which features purple trim and the Bonza values stitched inside on the lining. There’s also a pant option, shirt dress and sleeveless coat. Accessories include a Bonza thumbs up pin, branded custom socks and a purple scarf that can be worn as a hair, neck or pocket accessory.

Pilots uniforms feature a crisp white button-up shirt, tailored pants and charcoal blazer with silver stripes. Pilot uniforms are not exempt from a bit of Bonza personality with the addition of purple lining in the blazer, inside of the shirt collar and on-shirt logo. In a break of tradition, there’s no pilot hat. Everyone agreed it was better to pass that saving to our customers.

Total Image Group Head Designer and CEO, Pamela Jabbour said: “My goal was for the uniforms to reflect the excitement and optimism that Bonza brings to Aussie travellers. They’re ditching the rule book in every way and the uniforms are no exception. Instead of pantyhose, polyester shirts, black high heels and traditional embroidery – we have created a uniform that reflects current trends and that legends will wear with pride.”

Total Image Group are working with Bonza to extend the range to include crew sunglasses. “We intend to offer additional options to legends and to be the first airline to offer a sunnies subsidy, should crew wish to purchase Australian made sunglasses that will be made from recycled materials,” said Povey.

Top Copyright Photo: Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N5515X (VH-UJT) (msn 62533) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 958109.

Bonza to launch operations in September

Bonza, Australia’s newest carrier, is now planning to launch operations in September with three Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s.

The new airline is backed by Miami-based private investment company 777 Partners.

The start-up was founded in 2021 by Tim Jordan, a former administrator of Virgin Australia’s low-cost ancestor, Virgin Blue. The airline expects to launch operations in September 2022.

Proposed Routes:

Bonza announces 25 routes and 16 destinations in Australia

Bonza has announced 25 routes and 16 destinations in Australia as the new airline reveals its start-up plans.

The new airline will be based at Sunshine Coast Airport and Melbourne.

The initial 16 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.

Sunshine Coast

  • 12 routes to:
    • Albury – 2 flights per week
    • Avalon – 3 flights per week
    • Cairns – 5 flights per week
    • Coffs Harbour – 2 flights per week
    • Mackay – 3 flights per week
    • Melbourne – 4 flights per week
    • Mildura – 2 flights per week
    • Newcastle – 4 flights per week
    • Port Macquarie – 2 flights per week
    • Rockhampton – 3 flights per week
    • Townsville – 4 flights per week
    • Whitsunday Coast – 3 flights per week

Melbourne

  • 8 routes to:
    • Bundaberg – 2 flights per week
    • Gladstone – 2 flights per week
    • Mackay – 2 flights per week
    • Mildura – 3 flights per week
    • Port Macquarie – 2 flights per week
    • Rockhampton – 3 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 4 flights per week
    • Toowoomba Wellcamp – 4 flights per week

Whitsunday Coast

  • 3 routes to:
    • Newcastle – 2 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 3 flights per week
    • Toowoomba Wellcamp – 2 flights per week

Rockhampton

  • 4 routes to:
    • Cairns – 2 flights per week
    • Melbourne – 3 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 3 flights per week
    • Townsville – 3 flights per week

Mackay

  • 3 routes to:
    • Cairns – 2 flights per week
    • Melbourne – 2 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 3 flights per week

Cairns

  • 3 routes to:
    • Mackay – 2 flights per week
    • Rockhampton – 2 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 5 flights per week

Toowoomba Wellcamp

  • 3 routes to:
    • Melbourne – 4 flights per week
    • Townsville – 2 flights per week
    • Whitsunday Coast – 2 flights per week

Townsville

  • 3 routes to:
    • Rockhampton – 3 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 4 flights per week
    • Toowoomba Wellcamp – 2 flights per week

Newcastle

  • 2 routes to:
    • Sunshine Coast – 4 flights per week
    • Whitsunday Coast – 2 flights per week

Port Macquarie

  • 2 routes to:
    • Melbourne – 2 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 2 flights per week

Gladstone

  • 1 route to Melbourne

Bundaberg

  • 1 route to Melbourne

Coffs Harbour

  • 1 route to Sunshine Coast

Albury

  • 1 route to Sunshine Coast

Mildura

  • 2 routes to:
    • Melbourne – 3 flights per week
    • Sunshine Coast – 2 flights per week

Avalon

  • 1 route to Sunshine Coast

The new airline will initially operate five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3qkUmBDlFI&w=560&h=315%5D

Bonza wants to fly low-fare Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 flights in Australia

Bonza is a proposed new low-fare airline in Australia.

The upstart is planning to launch operations in early to mid 2022 with an initial fleet of two to three Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets.

The new airline is backed by U.S. private investment firm 777 Partners.

Bonza will focus on the leisure-travel market with all-economy flights from a base either in NSW or Queensland.

All images by the company.