Bonza Airline Discussion

Toowoomba seems to be a bit average across all routes, I reckon replace that route with Melbourne to Whitsunday, huge demand for that route over the next few months.
The Whitsunday Coast seems to be a good spot for Bonza. Melbourne, or even Avalon, would be a sensible add.

From comments made by the CCO, Newcastle-Proserpine was a top performing route during the recent holidays. Even outside of the holiday periods it’s done surprisingly well.

She also said that Gold Coast-Proserpine is the 3rd most popular route for the Gold Coast base, with OOL-ABX in #1 and OOL-LST in #2.
 
One of the challenges that Bonza might have is if they do find some really strong routes, there's always a risk that a certain other carrier, perhaps with the support of a parent, might try and muscle in on those routes and ruin the party.
 
Toowoomba seems to be a bit average across all routes, I reckon replace that route with Melbourne to Whitsunday, huge demand for that route over the next few months.

Another one with potential could be MEL-HVB, which is currently not served by anyone, although being only just over an hour from BDB might cannibalise that.
 
I will say I’m quite surprised by Albury and its success. Haven’t heard much about Mildura though, I reckon Mildura to OOL will hurt the MCY route.
 
The deck chairs are being reshuffled again. Chief Commercial Officer Carly Povey is set to depart Bonza in December

 
The deck chairs are being reshuffled again. Chief Commercial Officer Carly Povey is set to depart Bonza in December

2 months away, at least it sounds like an amicable departure.
 
Will be interesting to see if some of these routes hold over the coming months with fuel price now being a serious cost. QF/JQ hiking fares next week. I reckon we will see some route consolidation in Q1 2024.

Tamworth, Wellcamp still seem to be doing poorly. Some of these intra QLD routes also.

They could limit the PR damage while perhaps pulling the ‘temporary pause’ on some routes while oil jumps.
 
Flights to/from the Gold Coast have been opened up for sale until 5th May 2024, in line with the other bases.

Previously the Gold Coast flights were only scheduled until March 31st.
 
I do wonder whether the remaining point to point (non-hub/base) routes, mostly intra-Qld such as WTB-TSV and TSV-ROK, may eventually be pulled considering the reported poor loadings and the upcoming fuel price rises.

May be an opportunity for Bonza to concenrate on hub/base routes, and to sort out what aircraft will serve their OOL base for the NS24 season past May 2024, assuming they have something resembling a plan for OOL when the Flair aircraft return to Canada.
 
No word on Flair gaining its FATAOC yet. Only two weeks hopefully they get it all in order.

Flights to/from the Gold Coast have been opened up for sale until 5th May 2024, in line with the other bases.

Previously the Gold Coast flights were only scheduled until March 31st.
I assume two new Bonza 737s are going to replace the Flair aircraft, they are advertising for crew in house for this base also
 
I cant help but feel they would sell more seats if they opened bookings out to 12 months. Only opening to May 2024 means they cant capitalise on those wanting to book in advance for June and September school holidays.

Their targeted leisure market have been trained to book out to 12 months in advance to get the best price - it would also bring forward revenue for them. I get that it’s difficult if they are chopping and changing routes a lot, but that doesn’t seem to make a difference to other carriers……

I still cant see how they are making enough money to survive.
 
They could have just run with Flair titles what’s the big issue? Just put a ‘operated for Bonza’ sticker near the door.

What uniform are the cabin crew wearing?
 
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I’m was told many of the Flair Pilots are already familiar with Australian ops, apparently a large majority are all ex Cathay.
 
The first Bonza flight out of the Gold Coast departs for Townsville shortly.

Interestingly, they’re using an actual Bonza aircraft (VH-UIK) for the inaugural service and not the Flair aircraft.
 

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