Fly cheaper across regional Australia – Bonza Airlines just got the green light!
- Replies 5
Following approval by the industry regulator, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Bonza announced it had been granted its Air Operator Certificate on Thursday January 12th.
This makes it the first new major airline in Australia since Tiger Airways launched more than 15 years ago.
The airline hoped to have flights operating in mid-2022 after it announced its plans to fly in late 2021. However, the airline was forced to wait for a range of approvals from CASA.
Tim Jordan, Chief Executive for Bonza, said he expected tickets to be on sale ‘within days’ since flights are due to start this month.
‘I’m hoping that we’re talking days, or potentially a week or two, but not more than that. I’m hoping that by the end of the month, we will be taking to Australian skies,’ he shared.
The new low-cost airline has won approval to start flying across 17 destinations in regional Australia, including 13 from its base on the Sunshine Coast such as Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday Coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland.
Interstate destinations include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Newcastle, Albury, Mildura, Avalon, and Melbourne. Bonza has also promised that ‘the Western Australian routes are a high priority but [they] need airports to come to the party.’ It is unknown when the WA routes will be available, but according to Bonza the ones that are of most interest are ‘Perth-Bryon Bay, Adelaide to Broome, Busselton to the Sunshine Coast and Geraldton to Melbourne.’
Melbourne is the only capital city Bonza will fly to. According to Mr Jordan, the vision for Bonza was to focus on ‘giving people in the regions more choices’.
He also said that Bonza aims to ‘eradicate long car journeys many people choose to take to avoid to the cost or delays associated with air travel’
Mr Jordan also said that Bonza would focus on its ‘low-cost’ goal. ‘We believe that fares should start from about $50 for every hour that you fly,’ he continued.
Routes will also be added – albeit gradually.
‘It will be staggered, but it will be as quickly as is reasonable, over a number of weeks and likely a number of months,’ Mr Jordan shared.
Pip Spence, CASA Director of Aviation Safety, said Bonza was put through a ‘rigorous assessment’ to ensure it was safe to fly. She added that commercial operators across the country all go through this process, to see if the operator will meet the required safety standards.
Regional Development Minister Catherine King said it was a ‘welcome milestone’, as the airline’s routes are among those ‘underserviced’.
‘The entry of a new operator will boost competition in the Australian aviation sector, offering more choices to the travelling public, and putting downward pressure on fares,’ she explained.
For University of Southern Queensland Professor of Aviation Economics Shane Zhang, Bonza’s entry was ‘great news’, especially to people living outside metropolitan areas.
‘I believe Bonza has a bright future in the coming years as the demand for air travel will continue to recover and grow both in the domestic and international markets,’ the professor stated.
He added that Australia’s two major carriers do not have ‘the capacity in the short run’ to capture all the growth opportunities.
‘It’s good timing for Bonza to enter [the market] at the moment.’
The introduction of Bonza Airlines to the regional aviation market promises more choice for the travelling public and a more competitive airfare landscape. The impact of introducing a low-cost airline to the regional markets has the potential to drastically lower ticket prices, giving more people access to travel that may not have been able to travel before.
However, when flying in a low-cost carrier, you forego the traditional services that are normally included in major airlines. Essentially, you get lower fares at the expense of comfort. Baggage would likely not be provided, and food and drinks will not be offered (or if they are, they won’t be for free).
Do you plan on booking a ticket with Bonza on your next trip? Let us know in the comments below!
This makes it the first new major airline in Australia since Tiger Airways launched more than 15 years ago.
The airline hoped to have flights operating in mid-2022 after it announced its plans to fly in late 2021. However, the airline was forced to wait for a range of approvals from CASA.
Tim Jordan, Chief Executive for Bonza, said he expected tickets to be on sale ‘within days’ since flights are due to start this month.
‘I’m hoping that we’re talking days, or potentially a week or two, but not more than that. I’m hoping that by the end of the month, we will be taking to Australian skies,’ he shared.
Bonza is set to fly to 17 destinations. Credit: Bonza Airlines
The new low-cost airline has won approval to start flying across 17 destinations in regional Australia, including 13 from its base on the Sunshine Coast such as Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday Coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland.
Interstate destinations include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Newcastle, Albury, Mildura, Avalon, and Melbourne. Bonza has also promised that ‘the Western Australian routes are a high priority but [they] need airports to come to the party.’ It is unknown when the WA routes will be available, but according to Bonza the ones that are of most interest are ‘Perth-Bryon Bay, Adelaide to Broome, Busselton to the Sunshine Coast and Geraldton to Melbourne.’
Melbourne is the only capital city Bonza will fly to. According to Mr Jordan, the vision for Bonza was to focus on ‘giving people in the regions more choices’.
He also said that Bonza aims to ‘eradicate long car journeys many people choose to take to avoid to the cost or delays associated with air travel’
These are the routes that the airline will take. Credit: Bonza Airlines
Mr Jordan also said that Bonza would focus on its ‘low-cost’ goal. ‘We believe that fares should start from about $50 for every hour that you fly,’ he continued.
Routes will also be added – albeit gradually.
‘It will be staggered, but it will be as quickly as is reasonable, over a number of weeks and likely a number of months,’ Mr Jordan shared.
Pip Spence, CASA Director of Aviation Safety, said Bonza was put through a ‘rigorous assessment’ to ensure it was safe to fly. She added that commercial operators across the country all go through this process, to see if the operator will meet the required safety standards.
Regional Development Minister Catherine King said it was a ‘welcome milestone’, as the airline’s routes are among those ‘underserviced’.
‘The entry of a new operator will boost competition in the Australian aviation sector, offering more choices to the travelling public, and putting downward pressure on fares,’ she explained.
For University of Southern Queensland Professor of Aviation Economics Shane Zhang, Bonza’s entry was ‘great news’, especially to people living outside metropolitan areas.
‘I believe Bonza has a bright future in the coming years as the demand for air travel will continue to recover and grow both in the domestic and international markets,’ the professor stated.
He added that Australia’s two major carriers do not have ‘the capacity in the short run’ to capture all the growth opportunities.
‘It’s good timing for Bonza to enter [the market] at the moment.’
The introduction of Bonza Airlines to the regional aviation market promises more choice for the travelling public and a more competitive airfare landscape. The impact of introducing a low-cost airline to the regional markets has the potential to drastically lower ticket prices, giving more people access to travel that may not have been able to travel before.
However, when flying in a low-cost carrier, you forego the traditional services that are normally included in major airlines. Essentially, you get lower fares at the expense of comfort. Baggage would likely not be provided, and food and drinks will not be offered (or if they are, they won’t be for free).
.png){kind=icon}
