Mackay Bonza flights: Why region faces delay

The start-up airline updates why it faces delays on launching flights in and out of the state’s key tourism airports. Plus read what future services may be on the cards.

A definitive date for Bonza flights to start servicing Mackay remains very much up in the air.

The airline is awaiting crucial certification from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, having taken delivery of two Boeing 737s and a third to come.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan says they’d “love to give a definitive date for our first flight but it would be wrong of us to do so out of respect for the regulatory process”.

“Our team are working hard to get Aussies in the air as soon as it’s right to do so,” Mr Jordan said.

“We will continue to update Aussie travellers, as we previously have, as soon as there are updates on all things Bonza.”

He confirmed that Bonza was still considering seven services a week from Mackay, three flights to the Sunshine Coast, plus Cairns and Melbourne twice a week.

Bonza's routes from Mackay. Picture: Contributed

Mr Jordan said their focus was on ensuring their initial seven flight routes covering 17 destinations and 27 routes are “wheels up”.

“We’ll earn the right to add more destinations (later),” he said.

The airline has taken delivery of its fight two aircraft, named Shazza and Bazza, with a third donned Sheila due to join them.

Bazza's second aircraft touches down on October 29, 2022. Picture: Jim Alouat

“We are working towards having eight aircraft in our first year of operation,” Mr Jordan says.

“We‘ll be getting started with rolling out our Sunshine Coast base first with our current fleet including Shazza, Bazza – and Sheila.

“Each aircraft in our fleet has 186 seats and typically, most routes are serviced two to four times per week. Bonza is about stimulating new markets for leisure travel,” he says.

Bazza's second aircraft touched down on October 29, 2022. Picture: Jim Alouat

Mackay Airport’s head of operations Adrian Miles said there was potential for future growth in flights both in and out of the region.

“As Bonza’s fleet expands in 2023 there could be opportunities to grow their network from Mackay,” Mr Miles said.

“However, this may be determined by how well the initial services are supported.”

He said the Mackay Airport is capable of accommodating larger aircraft like the B767-200 and four-engine RAAF C-17 Globemaster.

But Mr Miles has ruled out any possible airport expansion.

“(Regular Public Transport Aircraft) use the main runway and this is considered sufficient for future growth aspirations,” he said.

The Whitsunday Regional Council heard at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, November 9, that all ground arrangements had been made to prepare for Bonza’s arrival at a confirmed date.