Bonza aircraft leaves Australia for Hawaii from Sunshine Coast Airport

Still emblazoned with the Bonza purple, watch a plane once used by the beleaguered airline get ready to leave Australia bound for the US.

An aircraft adorned with the Bonza purple has taken off from the Sunshine Coast Airport bound for the US.

The Flair aircraft (C-FLHI), with distinctive Bonza purple and the aircraft’s thumbs up, departed about 9.20am today, May 9 for Honolulu, Hawaii.

Three aircraft in the Bonza fleet were on the tarmac at the David Low Way end of the airport since the business went into voluntary administration earlier this month.

Bonza’s entire fleet was leased from owners AIP Capital, which has told administrators Hall Chadwick that they intend to have the planes made available to other carriers.

The suspension of Bonza flights continues until at least May 15.

A Flair plane leased by Bonza has left the Sunshine Coast Airport bound for Hawaii.

A Sunshine Coast Airport spokesman confirmed the departure.

“Sunshine Coast Airport is providing the owners of the other aircraft with access for maintenance purposes ahead of a future departure,” he said.

Flair Airlines FLE903 left the Sunshine Coast Airport bound for Honolulu this morning, May 9.

“Timing of departure will be determined by the owners.”

The move of the airline into voluntary administration left ticket holders in limbo and the cancelled flights prior to the administration announcement meant Bonza passengers were left stranded.

The airport spokesman earlier said the airport shared the community’s disappointment regarding the voluntary administration of Bonza.

“We have been supporters of Bonza since day one, helping them in their mission to provide more affordable air travel to Australians,” he said.

Grounded Bonza planes at the Sunshine Coast Airport earlier this month. Picture Lachie Millard

“We sympathise with staff, passengers, and businesses, both locally and across Australia, who have been affected by this news.”

The airport spokesman said the Sunshine Coast remained one of Australia’s most loved holiday and leisure destinations with strong regional growth.

“Our region is supported by all other major airlines and (the airport) will continue to connect the Sunshine Coast community to other areas of Australia,” he said.