Bonza Airline Discussion

[Albert Hoffman]

Looks like still a bit to happen then, end of next week, well I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Wat you reckon? CASA will come up with another question?

 

[A321]

Flonza C-FLHI seems to be on its way?

 

[Mwenenzi]

The cost blowout from this would be quite significant. Say a four month deal with Flair for 2 aircraft, plus crew, plus accommodation for many months would be considerable, would be in the tens of millions.

Might be easier to just cut the losses and walk.

I reckon they became way too desperate with handouts from certain parties to setup this base so they rushed. I certainly won’t be flying this outfit until they have all aircraft available to service routes, plus a spare.

If I was a business supplying services & product to Bonza would be on an all cash on delivery basis. No credit.
Have read of 2nd/3rd tier airlines in 3rd world countries where the Captain has a brief case of cash to pay for fuel.

[Good the Bonza thread has been moved from travel news to here]

 

[UP4014]

Bonza not being very Bonza, selling tickets and cancelling flights on they didn't have permission to use the aircraft on? Not so smart but maybe they needed the money.

'G'day Su': The dreaded text message from a budget airline just days before flight

Bonza Airline planned to use two aircraft from Canadian budget carrier Flair Airlines and took airfares from passengers – but the airline had not gained approval from the regulator Civil Aviation Safety Authority

www.abc.net.au

 

[Mwenenzi]

Bonza not being very Bonza, selling tickets and cancelling flights they did have permission to use the aircraft on? Not so smart but maybe they needed the money.

'G'day Su': The dreaded text message from a budget airline just days before flight

Bonza Airline planned to use two aircraft from Canadian budget carrier Flair Airlines and took airfares from passengers – but the airline had not gained approval from the regulator Civil Aviation Safety Authority

www.abc.net.au

The meaning of Bonza in Aussie slang (web search)

excellent

Ask an Aussie to name a truly Australian word, and they might yell "Bonzer!" Bonzer, sometimes also spelled bonza, means "first-rate" or "excellent," and it is the Australian equivalent of the American "awesome": "It's a good clean game ... and the standard is red hot," Thies said.

 

[Johnno101]

So Bonza changed the time on their flight this morning from Gold Coast to mt isa from 12;40 to 8;15. Apparently they sent out an email yesterday informing but as my sil is computer illiterate she never got it. No sms. Try contacting Bonza to find out anything b useless. That’s tgem consigned to the never again basket

 

[Saab34]

Well the Chief Commercial Officer picked her time well leaving the other week.

 

[A321]

FLHI enroute to OOL now.

Meanwhile..

Bonza Airline cancels flights after trying to lease Canadian aircraft and crew before approval - ABC News

amp.abc.net.au

CASA has supplied the following statement to the ABC regarding the process today.

"Flair does not hold any Australian approvals," the spokesperson said.

"Bonza needs to demonstrate how they will integrate these Canadian-registered aircraft and crew members into their operation.”

 

[Berlin]

Gosh— and those absolute amateurs fly the 737Max for all planes. People can consider themselves lucky that they “only” miss their holiday trip imho…

 

[Albert Hoffman]

Have read of 2nd/3rd tier airlines in 3rd world countries where the Captain has a brief case of cash to pay for fuel.

But the thing is, Bonza/Flair is an SME Airline Startup in a first world country.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Well the Chief Commercial Officer picked her time well leaving the other week.

I’ve been mulling this for a while, the timing suggests stongly related to this debacle. Did she jump or was she pushed ?

 

[Saab34]

I’ve been mulling this for a while, the timing suggests stongly related to this debacle. Did she jump or was she pushed ?

Another site said she only came for a two year deal. Left a previous industry to rejoin aviation, did the stint, and now leaving. Makes sense I guess.

Generally for most business start ups, especially those with regulatory barriers, you need the right people to get them up and running with previous experience, usually a bit of cash thrown about to lure them, then they go once up and running.

I know someone who was lured out of retirement for a 1 year contract at my outfit to get a project over the line. Needless to say he was the highest paid employee on the payroll, then went back to retirement after the project successfully up and running.

 

[clifford]

I was at OOL this morning and there was this forlorn Bonza 737...

 

[FishFood]

Bonza 737

Isn't that a Flonza jet with the green?

 

[A321]

I was at OOL this morning and there was this forlorn Bonza 737...

C-FLKC
Edit- C-FLHI arrived at 7:20pm as well.

 

[jakeseven7]

Why it took them this long I’ll never know.

Hahah yea… no idea whatsoever why they are only cancelling at the last minute

What. A. Cluster.

 

[Albert Hoffman]

What. A. Cluster.

Hopefully it'll be over soon. (monsoon hahha_)

 

[Saab34]

Flair has been signed off.

Looks like will launch today to Whitsunday and Isa

 

[Harrison_133]

Flair has been signed off.

Looks like will launch today to Whitsunday and Isa

FLKC taking the reins for the first flights. Interestingly enough they’ve got a Nauru 737-300 operating Mackay & Launceston today.

They've released a statement:

“We know it’s been a challenging time for some of our customers who were unable to fly and to them we say we’re really sorry and we’ll learn from this and do better to deliver for Australia,” said Bonza CEO Tim Jordan.

Plus a 30% off sale:

To mark this milestone, Bonza is offering 30% off flights to and from the Gold Coast for travel between 19 Dec '23 to 31 Jan '24. Travellers can book now on the Fly Bonza app using promo GOLDIE until Thursday 21 December.*

“This is our way of acknowledging we could have done better and also shouting from the rooftops that Bonza is back!”

I’m not sure a 30% off sale is any conciliation prize for people who had their Christmas plans screwed with, but alas.

Bonza Airline

www.flybonza.com

 

[A321]

FLHI still on the ground, I'd assume Nauru is covering their flights.
Probably have to recall the Canadians from their holidays across Australia!