Bonza (AB, Sunshine Coast) has secured its air operator's certificate (AOC), with the 777 Partners-backed low-cost carrier confirming the news on January 12. Bonza says it will now finalise its preparations to launch flights, believed to initially target Queensland coastal airports, with the first services to fly out of the airline's Maroochydore airport base.
“This is a historic moment for Australian aviation as we get ready to launch the first high-capacity airline in more than 15 years, and the country’s only independent low-cost carrier,” said Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza.
Bonza is targeting flying eight aircraft within its first year of operations and has already taken delivery of three B737-8s now in place at Maroochydore Airport. Those three aircraft are VH-UIK (msn 43975), VH-UJK (msn 43974), and VH-UJT (62533). A fourth MAX 8, VH-UBI (msn 60388), remains at Tucson International ahead of its ferry flight to Australia. Bonza becomes the first Australian operator of the B737 MAX, beating Virgin Australia which will begin taking delivery of the type later this year.
Pip Spence, CEO of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), said Bonza went through a rigorous assessment and validation process. "This is a significant milestone," Spence said. "All commercial operators in Australia have to go through this process, which considers how the operator will meet the required safety standards. I would especially like to acknowledge Bonza’s willingness to work with us on this complex process."
Bonza has not yet said when flights would start and says it will "gradually" introduce its planned route network which will comprise 17 destinations and 26 routes, focusing on point-to-point regional sectors that are almost entirely unserved by other airlines. Flights from Maroochydore/Sunshine Coast to Townsville, Rockhampton, Cairns, and Mackay are tipped to be among the first to launch.
