New airline eyes September take-off

BONZA Airlines is aiming to hit the runway at Avalon Airport late next month and open its travel route with the Sunshine Coast.

The discount carrier is hopeful it is close to securing regulatory approval to take to the skies and adding a new low-cost route to the Geelong region airport.

“Whilst respecting the regulatory process, we are working towards wheels up as soon as late September by progressively rolling out routes using our Sunshine Coast based aircraft first – of which Avalon is part of,” the airline’s CEO Tim Jordan said.

The September target is the clearest indication the carrier has provided on its flight timeline since its launch earlier this year.

The company indicated it hoped to provide a more specific timeline by the end of August.

Bonza announced itself to the Australian market in February, with its Sunshine Coast-Avalon route among its first rollout of 27 flight paths across 17 destinations on the eastern seaboard.

Meanwhile, Bonza’s first aircraft has touched down at its Queensland base this month.

The airline will apply interior finishes to its new Boeing 737 MAX onshore at Australia as it prepares for its take-off date.

“We are now one important step closer to connecting more Australians with convenient low cost travel options to more destinations for holidays and to visit loved ones,” Mr Jordan said.

“It seems only right that we bring home our first aircraft to have its final touches put on by Australians locally.”