Bonza Airline Discussion

[dajop]

The one that runs twice a week, not the one that runs three times a day.

I was just having a joke at Qantas's expense.

In any event, if they have to cancel, Bonza might even put on a bus to get you there

(I kid you not, they did that for MQL-MEL pax once when one of the flight crew called in sick and they had to cancel. I guess some would have taken a refund, but for some folk, probably better to arrive 5 hrs late, that evening, than have to wait several days or rebook on QF or ZL at much higher cost the next morning).

 

[justinbrett]

I was just having a joke at Qantas's expense.

In any event, if they have to cancel, Bonza might even put on a bus to get you there

(I kid you not, they did that for MQL-MEL pax once when one of the flight crew called in sick and they had to cancel. I guess some would have taken a refund, but for some folk, probably better to arrive 5 hrs late, that evening, than have to wait several days or rebook on QF or ZL at much higher cost the next morning).

Well Bonza aren't even reporting OTP, so...

The cancellation rate in October between QF, VA & JQ were 4.3, 4.1 and 4.1 respectively.

In September it was 3.2, 3.9 and 4.9% respectively. The month before was 3.4, 4.7 and 2.9%.

Seems to me that every month the order changes between the big 3 - a bit foolish to take one in isolation.

 

[dajop]

Just in case it wasn’t entirely clear …. It was a joke.

I don’t like joking about individuals but I think companies are fair game!

 

[HS-TQE]

Friday is what has been circulated to Bonza staff, so hopefully a bit more accurate than the app.

Reportedly delayed for another 10 days.

 

[Saab34]

Well they will be thankful they had that spare aircraft kicking around. Still not ideal for AB crew driving down from MCY. Interesting that they have been able to crew this temporary solution with no impact to MCY, yet.

They need a second aircraft Monday 4th to get the next batch of routes up.

Certainly seems doubtful this arrangement is going to get up. I guess they could re register the aircraft to Bonza and go from there?

 

[Harrison_133]

Still not ideal for AB crew driving down from MCY. Interesting that they have been able to crew this temporary solution with no impact to MCY, yet.

They’re using MEL based crew too.

Not having a spare aircraft has certainly impacted the rest of the network since the OOL flights started. There has been a number of cancellations and delays over the last week or so, a mix of engineering and crewing issues. Yesterday MCY-CNS-MCY and NTL-PPP-NTL were scrubbed. Today, the MEL based aircraft is running 1-2 hours behind schedule.

Disruption recovery is an area where Bonza are just as bad as the majors. By virtue of network design, they’ll always struggle with recovery when routes only operate a few times per week, but having that spare aircraft tied up with OOL flights means that there is no slack for replacement flights — which they have done in the past when they had the spare.

I was in T4 last Saturday and watched as the MEL-PQQ flight was cancelled due to engineering requirements. They announced the cancellation, told everyone to collect their checked bags and return to the Bonza check-in for assistance. From what I heard, that ‘assistance’ was to rebook for the following Thursday (Monday flight had filled up) via the app, or to request a refund. Apparently they weren’t very forthcoming with accomodation either, and many were struggling to get through to customer support via the app. The ground crew can do diddly squat to help.

Hopefully the Flair issues can be sorted out, otherwise they’re going to be caught with their pants down.

 

[Saab34]

I really just find it astounding that they announced this wet lease months ago, and they are now having CASA issues now. I was skeptical back in early August when I wrote the below.

The whole arrangement still has me skeptical of it even going ahead.

Bit late to go cancelling two months worth of peak flights that are pretty much full. I guess they could combine AVV-OOL with Melbourne flights.

I hope this is all CASA above board, I mean we wouldn’t want any last minute cancellations or something (remember Tiger Bali).

I do find it strange that the process to obtain a CASA AOC is somewhat ‘full on’, then a random foreign operator without being through such a process can operate scheduled domestic flights for half the year.

 

[Harrison_133]

Reportedly delayed for another 10 days.

Interesting. Flight Radar has FLKC listed as operating OOL-MEL tomorrow.

 

[kaceybutler]

UKH appears to be stranded in avalon for operational reasons, meaning the MCY base is now down to one aircraft at the moment as the other 3 are being used (Mildura flight has been cancelled and more probably will be today)

 

[Saab34]

I don’t know if storm related but UKH landed with cell activity in the airport vicinity at Avalon.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I just booked on BDB-OOL for mid Dec. $8 extra for row 2 isn't bad. Hopefully the flight occurs as I've booked QF BNE-BDB in the morning the same day.

The load for a OOL-BDB flight 6pm flight time is going to be low.

I want to try our Bonza but the flight times every time I look are at some crazy times.

 

[Saab34]

OOL-BDB won’t work as it’s only a 5 hour drive. Perhaps put the wife and kids on and hubby drives down. Not overly practical flying such a short route to then hire a car for a fortune on the other end, most people will probably just do the above for drive it if it’s for a holiday etc.

Would be better off using that peak Friday evening airtime for a Melbourne run for the post work rush.

 

[Harrison_133]

I want to try our Bonza but the flight times every time I look are at some crazy times.

OOL-GLT at 6am on a Sunday comes to mind…

 

[justinbrett]

OOL-BDB won’t work as it’s only a 5 hour drive. Perhaps put the wife and kids on and hubby drives down. Not overly practical flying such a short route to then hire a car for a fortune on the other end, most people will probably just do the above for drive it if it’s for a holiday etc.

Would be better off using that peak Friday evening airtime for a Melbourne run for the post work rush.

There's a lot of people who travel between BDB & SEQ for family, and QF prices are ridiculous (I only ever use points on the route). If they can keep these prices as low as they are now I think they'll do OK (well, as in it's no worse than most other Bonza routes). I don't think it's so much for family holidays.

I f*ken hate the drive between Brisbane & Bundy, and I've done it more times than I care to remember (my Dad lives up there), let alone now going from the GC and having to get through Brissy first. 5 hours on paper, in practice can be closer to 7.

 

[mel-world]

Which airport is code SEQ? Cannot see it on FR24.

 

[Harrison_133]

Which airport is code SEQ? Cannot see it on FR24.

South-East Queensland (the region)

 

[Saab34]

Looks like the aircraft stuck at Avalon which had a flight planned this arvo AVV-MEL then MEL-PQQ didn’t get approval to fly, so still stuck at Avalon.

So half the fleet is tied up doing OOL flights and the other grounded.

Well at least they had that spare kicking around. A few months ago they had all four running to a tight schedule. Wise decision to pull that back has saved them from total disaster today, only a mild disaster at the moment.

 

[Harrison_133]

Looks like the aircraft stuck at Avalon which had a flight planned this arvo AVV-MEL then MEL-PQQ didn’t get approval to fly, so still stuck at Avalon.

6 cancellations across the network today. Basically 1 whole line of flying. MEL-MKY-MEL preemptively cancelled for tomorrow too. MEL-BDB posting a 35 minute delay for now… that’s if the aircraft makes it over from Avalon.

 

[Saab34]

6 cancellations across the network today. Basically 1 whole line of flying. MEL-MKY-MEL preemptively cancelled for tomorrow too. MEL-BDB posting a 35 minute delay for now… that’s if the aircraft makes it over from Avalon.

Another forum mentioned it has lightning damage. So could be offline for a bit. They did file two flight plans for it today AVV-MEL but they never eventuated. So sounds like it might nearly be good to go.

I wonder what Plan B is to get the second aircraft running from OOL if they still can’t get Flair approval?

 

[Harrison_133]

Another forum mentioned it has lightning damage. So could be offline for a bit. They did file two flight plans for it today AVV-MEL but they never eventuated. So sounds like it might nearly be good to go.

Nauru Airlines operating the MEL-WTB/PQQ/MQL rotations tomorrow.

Edit: appears to have been a change of plans already. A Bonza 737 will operate the MEL base rotations as normal, and Nauru will operate the MCY-TSV/MEL rotations + TSV-ROK.

From TSV site (ON634 instead of AB634):



From MEL app (ON1024 instead of AB1024):