Bonza (AB, Sunshine Coast) has taken delivery of its first B737-8 in the form of VH-UJT (msn 62533).

Owned by 777 Partners, Bonza's shareholder, the 2.9 year old twinjet was ferried from Seattle Boeing Field via Honolulu and Nadi to Sunshine Coast over the course of July, 29-August 1, 2022. It was originally earmarked for LOT Polish Airlines (LO, Warsaw Chopin), but never taken up given the Polish carrier's ongoing review of its future narrowbody fleet plan.

Bonza's certification in Australia is currently ongoing amid plans to launch scheduled operations after August 2022.

According to Reuters, Bonza Chief Executive Tim Jordan told reporters the Australian budget airline expects to start commercial flights as soon as late September.

"[The B737-8] will be part of a fleet of brand new and fuel-efficient aircraft based initially on the Sunshine Coast and in Melbourne Tullamarine. It will welcome Aussie travellers flying to an initial 17 destinations on 27 routes. The aircraft will have its interiors completed on Aussie shores by Australians locally," he said.

Bonza's early network requires five B737-8s. The airline plans to scale up to eight units within a year, with one retained as a spare aircraft.