Budget carrier Bonza’s takeoff delayed, awaiting CASA approval

It’s been a year since new budget airline Bonza was first announced, but the carrier is yet to actually fly any passengers, or even sell any tickets.

Bonza's second 737 Max, christened ‘Bazza’, has arrived in the country, even though the low-cost airline is yet to get regulatory approval to carry passengers.

A year after Bonza was announced as Australia’s first “ultra low cost carrier”, the airline is yet to carry a single passenger or sell any airfares as the owners await regulator approval.

Despite having two aircraft in its fleet and a third on the way, it remains unclear when Bonza will be allowed to take to the skies.

The second Boeing 737 Max 8 christened “Bazza” touched down at Sunshine Coast Airport on Saturday, three months after the first aircraft to bear the Bonza livery arrived.

That jet was named “Shazza”, in a nod to the airline’s ocker image, which will see such novelties as Bonza budgie smugglers (men’s swimwear) sold on board.

Financed by US private investment firm 777 Partners, Bonza was initially aiming to begin flights in mid-2022.

However, application for an Air Operators Certificate was only made to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in mid-April, with a decision still thought to be some months away.

On Monday, Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan would not commit to a start date for the airline, saying that it was a “complex process” but good progress was being made.

“We are ticking off significant milestones but ultimately we will be happy when the regulator is happy,” Mr Jordan said.

Bonza had already conducted “internal test flights”, including one from Newcastle to Mackay last week to ensure all systems on board the 737 Max 8 were working as they should.

Mr Jordan said a CASA official was not on board for the flight.

“Once we are completely happy we will then ask the regulator to absolutely come and do the same (flight),” he said.

CASA is aware the private flights are being conducted and is comfortable with that, pointing out an AOC was specifically for commercial operations.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan.

Recruitment is also continuing, with up to 140 people now employed by Bonza, including pilots and cabin crew.

Flights are yet to go on sale though, despite a 27-route network across 17 destinations being announced back in February.

“It’s appropriate for us to only go on sale once we know we can fulfil the obligation we’re making to our customers,” Mr Jordan said.

“Once we have confidence in terms of that specific timeline, we will go on sale.”

He remained of the belief “millions” of Australians would embrace the new low-cost carrier and fill the 200 seats on the 737 Max, on routes such as Melbourne-Toowoomba and Cairns-Sunshine Coast.

“We know there are many millions of people who want us to get into the market as soon as possible,” Mr Jordan said.

“There are cost of living pressures everywhere and travel and aviation are far from immune.”

He said history was on their side, with low-cost carriers typically trading very well during economic downturns “where ever you are in the world”.

Despite the drawn out process of obtaining an AOC, Bonza was not about to make an enemy of CASA by criticising the length of time being taken to give the green light to the airline’s flight plans.

Mr Jordan said it was an appropriately thorough process with every aspect of flight operations being examined, including aircraft manuals and maintenance procedures.

“The regulator performs an incredibly important role for the country,” he said.

“We are bringing new aircraft into Australia and we would expect the process to be thorough.”

It’s understood some of the airports that Bonza plans to service are not expecting the airline to be up and running until early next year.

Sunshine Coast Airport, north of Brisbane, will act as the carrier’s base in Queensland with another at Melbourne Airport.

A CASA spokesman said a new AOC was a “complex and detailed process”.

“A specialised team is reviewing processes and documents to ensure Bonza meets aviation safety standards expected by Australian travellers,” the spokesman said.

“The CASA and Bonza teams continue to work through the application process but there is no general time frame for these applications as each one is unique.”

Originally published as Budget carrier Bonza’s takeoff delayed, awaiting CASA approval