Take-off wait for new Avalon airline

UPSTART airline Bonza is yet to confirm its first flight dates from Avalon Airport following delays with the new business’s rollout.

But the carrier’s first planes will shortly touch down in Australia in hope of carrying their first passengers later this year.

Bonza first emerged on the marketplace in late 2021 and announced its first network of destinations and flight routes in February, when it expected to be accepting bookings by the end of April.

A route between Avalon and the Sunshine Coast was among the 27 routes promised earlier this year.

But an open letter from the company published Wednesday indicated that take-off will likely have to wait until at least September.

“One key input is that we now have confirmation of when our first aircraft will touch down on Aussie shores,” chief commercial officer Carly Povey said.

“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.

“So with that in mind, I can confirm that you shouldn’t wait for us to lock in your essential July and August travel plans.”

Ms Povey said the airline was also working through regulatory approvals, staff recruitment and finalising details such as uniforms, menus and aircraft interiors as part of its planning.

The new airline has promised an “Uber-style”, app-based business model, which would manage all bookings and communications through customer’s phones.

Bonza said the model would help the airline reduce costs and provide cut-price fares of around $50 per hour of flight time – meaning Avalon passengers can expect to pay approximately $100 for a journey to Queensland.