Bonza Airlines yet to announce Bundaberg to Melbourne flights

It’s been more than six months since Bonza Airlines first announced a Bundaberg-Melbourne flight service for the Rum City. But with an estimated mid-year start date now surpassed, questions have arisen over when locals might be able to take the first plane south.

Eager Bundaberg travellers have been wondering when they will get to fly south.

In February, Bonza Airlines joined with Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey as it announced plans to fly between Bundaberg and Melbourne twice a week, with an intended start date from the middle of this year.

But with time ticking by, questions have been raised around how much longer the wait might be.

Questions to Bonza’s media department went unanswered, while a representative of Bundaberg Regional Council said queries were best directed back to the airline.

Despite the radio silence, it does appear the airline is taking steps that hint towards an announcement soon.

The Bundaberg NewsMail can confirm the airline this year announced Michael Young as chief operating officer in charge of safety and operations delivery.

In June, Bonza held a fashion show at Sunshine Coast Airport where the fledgling airline showed off its eclectic and casual uniforms in line with the business‘s plan to allow the wearing of sneakers and acceptance of individual style.

Mid-year, the airline penned an open letter, in which chief commercial officer Carly Povey stated the airline’s plans were progressing, but people shouldn’t wait to book important flights just yet.

The first Bonza-painted Boeing plane landed at Sunshine Coast Airport earlier this year. The new airline is going through the necessary processed to ensure safe flights before it takes off.

“The response we’ve had since announcing our initial 17 destinations and 27 routes has been nothing but Bonza. No, seriously. I know you’re keen to grab your cozzies and gather your rellies all for less than a tank of fuel. So, it’s only fair to give you an update on how we’re tracking. After all, you can’t be called Bonza and not be fair dinkum,” the letter reads.

“We’re getting closer to take-off, which means we’re getting clearer on potential start dates. Having this locked in is key to going on sale with our first wave of flights. One key input is that we now have confirmation of when our first aircraft will touch down on Aussie shores. This is slightly later than first expected but gives us the clarity we need to map out the in-country process that starts once they touch down. In short, we’re making good progress and in the coming weeks I will provide further updates.”

Bonza has also made announcements revealing passengers can expect to pay around $50 per hour of travel.

The paper-free airline will run bookings exclusively from an app or travel agents, and stock all Australian food and drinks on board its flights.

It is understood the airline is also going through processes to with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to obtain its Air Operators Certificate.

A spokesman for CASA said there were hopes for an approval by mid-October, subject to “clarification” of several issues.

Staff at many of the airline’s planned regional routes were also still in the process of being organised.

Bonza plans to operate flights in the Whitsundays, Townsville, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Mildura, Melbourne, Mackay, Gladstone, Coffs Harbour, Cairns and Albury.

The planned route for Bundaberg will only be between the Rum City and Melbourne.