Bonza Airline Discussion

[Albert Hoffman]

nahh let's keep it loose, like the airline itself

 

[JessicaTam]

@AFF Editor maybe it's time for a separate Bonza forum

There is one but you have to download a special app to view it!

 

[Harrison_133]

UKH is finally back flying after it’s extended stay at Avalon.

The inaugural Sunny Coast to Darwin flight is currently in the air.

And they’ve cancelled tomorrow’s Melbourne to Toowoomba flight citing crewing issues.

 

[henrus]

Flew out of Bundaberg this afternoon (on Link) and Bonza had their MEL flight at the same time (it boarded over an hour late).

Two interesting observations. Firstly it was a full flight, talking to the ground staff at Bundaberg they said the 2x flights that have been operating each week have been basically full each time. Only time will tell if the OOL-BDB flight that starts next week will be the same.

Secondly, how unprepared Bundaberg airport is for a 737 flight. They've got just a single xray machine, single walk through metal detector (which wasn't being used) and single mm wave person scanner (the type where you spin in a circle on the spot - I've only ever seen these overseas) - this created a huge backlog delaying the boarding of both the link flight and the bonza flight (although they were also using only the front stairs so their boarding took over 40 minutes).

 

[justinbrett]

Secondly, how unprepared Bundaberg airport is for a 737 flight. They've got just a single xray machine, single walk through metal detector (which wasn't being used) and single mm wave person scanner (the type where you spin in a circle on the spot - I've only ever seen these overseas) - this created a huge backlog delaying the boarding of both the link flight and the bonza flight (although they were also using only the front stairs so their boarding took over 40 minutes).

It's a Dash 8 airport. They don't even get 717s/F100s. I don't know why they would be prepared for 737s/A320s.

The Bonza traffic isn't enough to change that, beyond Bonza telling its pax to get to the airport early.

 

[MooTime]

It's a Dash 8 airport. They don't even get 717s/F100s. I don't know why they would be prepared for 737s/A320s.

The Bonza traffic isn't enough to change that, beyond Bonza telling its pax to get to the airport early.

They would should be prepared cos the airport knew for a number of weeks that a 737 would be utilising the airport.

Items should've been trucked up.

 

[justinbrett]

They would should be prepared cos the airport knew for a number of weeks that a 737 would be utilising the airport.

Items should've been trucked up.

I don't think two flights a week (soon to be four) really justifies more infrastructure, especially with question marks that these routes will remain. The current setup works, just takes a little longer. That cost has to be paid by someone and would be passed straight back on to pax, possibly scaring Bonza away completely.

As far as having one scanner running, that was a pretty common sight at NTL even with multiple 737/A320 flights a day.

 

[justinbrett]

Courier Mail is reporting a "paperwork bungle" is the reason behind the cancelled flights.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/companies/travel/bonza-paperwork-bungle-behind-cancelled-flights/news-story/dfb69bbbc9d5d443623c04053702b559

I'm not a subscriber so just getting that from the headline.

 

[A321]

Courier Mail is reporting a "paperwork bungle" is the reason behind the cancelled flights.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/companies/travel/bonza-paperwork-bungle-behind-cancelled-flights/news-story/dfb69bbbc9d5d443623c04053702b559

I'm not a subscriber so just getting that from the headline.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/www.couriermail.com.au%2Fbusiness%2Fcompanies%2Ftravel%2Fbonza-paperwork-bungle-behind-cancelled-flights%2Fnews-story%2Fdfb69bbbc9d5d443623c04053702b559

...But the company has failed to get approval to fly a leased aircraft from Canada’s Flair airlines, which was meant to be a key part of its expanded Gold Coast services launched this month....
...it still does not have permission from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to take off...
..“Our spare aircraft is temporarily being used at the Gold Coast, whilst we work through CASA approval to induct the Flair crew and aircraft into our operations until February..

 

[justinbrett]

I imagine the OOL flights are selling well (especially this time of year) which is why they just haven't delayed the OOL routes

 

[Harrison_133]

Interesting…

The Darwin flights, from both OOL & MCY, appear to have been removed from sale until the first week of January.

Edit: OOL-DRW pax starting to receive cancellation messages, reason being ‘regulatory approval’ or lack of

 

[Saab34]

They started Darwin ops yesterday so I doubt it’s lack of approval.

Likely they are short on crew. Using the spare aircraft, plus introducing overnights, requires considerable more tech crew. Running a OOL base last minute with existing staff from other bases also makes it harder.

This is turning into a basket case. They shouldn’t have started a OOL base like they have done, I know they would have been margin hungry and the margin’s are there, but as someone mentioned above, now caught with pants down.

 

[Harrison_133]

They started Darwin ops yesterday so I doubt it’s lack of approval.

That’s what they’re telling pax the reason for the cancellations are at least, but I agree, this adhoc base will definitely be straining their resources.

Interestingly, most OOL routes next week are now showing as ‘Sold Out’ when you try and search the available dates.

 

[Saab34]

Looks like the brakes are about to be put on.

The whole Flair thing appears like it’s dead and done.

 

[MooTime]

Maybe trying to expand/ take on too many routes little to quickly. Or change their route chart.

Knowing / working out where the best pax filling routes are doesn't necessarily make it possible to throw your few, very few aircraft anywhere and everywhere. This should've been done in their feasibility study way back when.

Logistics. Seasonal too.

 

[Harrison_133]

Apparently the MCY-DRW flights have been removed from sale because they’re offering Gold Coast passengers seats on those services, or a full refund.

Maybe trying to expand/ take on too many routes little to quickly. Or change their route chart.

3 operational bases for 4-6 aircraft was always going to be a recipe for disaster.

 

[justinbrett]

I imagine Bonza are desperately trying to lease another aircraft. If they have to cancel all these flights over the Christmas season, that's game over for them.

 

[A321]

Having a look through the app, there are a lot of OOL routes listed as "sold out" (a la Zero'd out) AVV, ISA, BQB, TSV etc. Dire straits?

 

[justinbrett]

Having a look through the app, there are a lot of OOL routes listed as "sold out" (a la Zero'd out) AVV, ISA, BQB, TSV etc. Dire straits?

OOL-BDB is sold out for next week but still selling after that.

I would assume OOL flights are going to be really popular going into Christmas so solution is probably not as simple as just axing OOL flights.

Otherwise Bonza might have a date with the ACCC if they're still selling flights they know won't operate!

 

[Harrison_133]

Having a look through the app, there are a lot of OOL routes listed as "sold out" (a la Zero'd out) AVV, ISA, BQB, TSV etc. Dire straits?

The only Gold Coast flights currently on sale for next week are:

• Tuesday - Mackay & Mount Isa
• Wednesday - Rockhampton & Townsville
• Saturday - Tullamarine
• Sunday - unaffected at this stage

Everything else is showing as ‘Sold Out’.

I imagine they’re currently rejigging the schedules so they can keep using the spare aircraft out of the Gold Coast, taking strains on crewing requirements into account. Probably explains why the Darwin red-eye has been quickly cut.

They have a second line of flying due to commence on Monday. Unless they cut flights, they’re going to need help from somewhere. I won’t be surprised to see Nauru Airlines stepping in to operate more Bonza flights over the coming weeks.