Bonza Airline Discussion

[dsbooth]

The choice of routes was not necessarily the problem.
Running 737-800 aircraft was a major issue.
Why do Qantas and Virgin run smaller aircraft of their regional routes.
To keep the costs down!

 

[Must...Fly!]

The problem isn't even running a MAX as such, it's running it year round.

 

[dsbooth]

Yea, but start small, fill the planes and then expand.
Jumping in with 180 seat planes on regional routes was always a risk!

 

[dvb2000]

A couple of years ahead of their time, they really needed a presence at (Western) Sydney, plus mentioned web access and google/bing search engine visibility.
and a BIG "PLUS AIRBUS" planes, not Boeing.

 

[Berlin]

The problem isn't even running a MAX as such

Oh, plenty of problems with running a MAX, no matter what airline!

 

[FruitySnack]

The comments from the CEO of the maintenance provider, in the Australian Aviation article are fascinating. Exclusive: Bonza was close to a sale before grounding, its MRO says

 

[FL360]

In Australian aviation the money is in business travelers between SYD BNE and MEL, for those regional customers who complained about Bonza, they now can pay $200 more each way to fly the legacy airlines......

 

[Saab34]

The comments from the CEO of the maintenance provider, in the Australian Aviation article are fascinating. Exclusive: Bonza was close to a sale before grounding, its MRO says

You know he is telling lies when he said loads are ‘fantastic’ yet all the airports released data pointing to 50/60% Loads.

 

[FruitySnack]

You know he is telling lies when he said loads are ‘fantastic’ yet all the airports released data pointing to 50/60% Loads.

Some routes definitely had loads in the 50s and 60s such as those into Mildura and Toowoomba but the vast majority were over 80 and many into the 90s. Destinations such as Albury, Alice, Bundy, Cairns, Launceston, Mackay, Port Macquarie, Proserpine and Townsville were routinely in the 90s.

 

[henrus]

The comments from the CEO of the maintenance provider, in the Australian Aviation article are fascinating. Exclusive: Bonza was close to a sale before grounding, its MRO says

Wild if true. Perhaps 777 said the deal going through a requirement otherwise the funding rug will be pulled from underneath (as has happened).

 

[Scarlett]

I watched what must have been one of the final Bonza flights board at ROK on Monday (I was waiting for a VA flight) and there was maybe 50-60 pax embarking. ROK-CNS I think it was.

 

[dajop]

Yea, but start small, fill the planes and then expand.
Jumping in with 180 seat planes on regional routes was always a risk!

A220's probably would fit the bill, lot of operators seem happy with them. Although in high demand so probably not so easy, or cheap, to get a hold of?

 

[Saab34]

This was on my Facebook feed, they are literally blocking the whole aircraft now.

But who is doing this? If the lessor has repossessed them? Why do they need to block them off? What’s the airline going to do? Fly them off somewhere? They are not Bonza’s. What the heck is Bonza doing to do with them? Worried the administrator will take them perhaps?

Or is this MCY airport doing this due unpaid bills?

 

[Harrison_133]

This was on my Facebook feed, they are literally blocking the whole aircraft now.

But who is doing this? If the lessor has repossessed them? Why do they need to block them off? What’s the airline going to do? Fly them off somewhere? They are not Bonza’s. What the heck is Bonza doing to do with them?

Or is this MCY airport doing this due unpaid bills?

View attachment 383208

Oh my...

Also, that one is in OOL not MCY.

 

[henrus]

they are literally blocking the whole aircraft now.

They blocked them a few days ago when first grounded so this isn’t new.

But who is doing this? If the lessor has repossessed them? Why do they need to block them off? What’s the airline going to do? Fly them off somewhere? They are not Bonza’s. What the heck is Bonza doing to do with them? Worried the administrator will take them perhaps?

The leasing companies paid the maintenance company to do this. Even though the asset has been repossessed it doesn’t stop someone from trying to steal it (just ask the Russians). Not I’m not saying we’ve got a Russian level aircraft theft going on here but the above blocking is standard practice during a repossession before it’s flown out. Not pictured but all the aircraft have since had the repossession notice taped to the door of the aircraft.

Or is this MCY airport doing this due unpaid bills?

We don’t know for sure but given Bonza’s. partnership it wouldn’t surprise me if they were paying MCY airport very little in airport fees and therefore are owed a much smaller amount then one would think.

 

[UP4014]

Administrator or Airport making sure they don’t leave until all monies paid, the administrator will need to pay or do a deal before they get released.

Wonder if we’ll seeing another coughpit Casual on YouTube of the next flight of Bonza liveried planes.

 

[RooFlyer]

Or is this MCY airport doing this due unpaid bills?

The leasing companies paid the maintenance company to do this. Even though the asset has been repossessed it doesn’t stop someone from trying to steal it (just ask the Russians).

Do you know that for sure, or just an assertive answer?

If you are in control of the aircraft (the repossessor) , I dare say there are easier ways to immobilise an aircraft than hauling concrete blocks around it.

If you are the airport, on the other hand, not in control of the craft, you want to make sure that it doesn't go anywhere until you are paid.

 

[Saab34]

I only asked as the aircraft in Melbourne is not all blocked off, just parked down at the jetbase. The OOL aircraft above also only got the concrete blocks today, was just parked as per normal prior.

MCY had the concrete blocks on it from the get go.

I remember Perth Airport parking stuff in front of Virgin 737s when they went broke.

Lessor should have had crews at the ready and flew them out at 6am on the first day.

 

[henrus]

Do you know that for sure, or just an assertive answer?

Know for sure as the Australian Aviation article linked above had the following quote in the article about Bonza’s maintenance company:

“… before the abrupt seizure of its fleet, which was carried out by AVCRO on behalf of the repossessors.”

It was AVCRO people moving blocks at MCY earlier in the week.

 

[Saab34]

My old folks re booked flights for August with JQ, absolutely free. Virgin wouldn’t book that far ahead for one, neither QF, JQ did though.

Definitely shout out to these guys at the moment. I was sort of just expecting ‘relief’ fares or something, but pretty flexible free fares, is good stuff.