New Australian low-cost carrier Bonza has today been granted its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), paving the way for ticket sales and launching its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8s on routes across the country. In a statement sent to Simple Flying in the last hour, the airline said flights from its Queensland base at Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) base will "soon go on sale" and will be followed by services from Melbourne.

Let the games begin

Tim Jordan, CEO, Bonza
Photo: Bonza

The public face of Bonza, CEO Tim Jordan, has fronted many grillings on when the airline, backed by US investment firm 777 Partners, will launch operations. For some months, Bonza has steadfastly said it would work through the process of gaining the all-important AOC with Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and when it was done the Australian public would be the first the know. Today Jordan said it is a "historic moment for Australian aviation as we get ready to launch the first high-capacity airline in more than 15 years and the country's only independent low-cost carrier."

"The excitement for what we are about to deliver is palpable, and the timing couldn't be better. Demand for domestic travel is high, and Aussies deserve for travel to be a basic right for many, not a luxury for the few."

"This has never been truer with today's cost of living challenges. With the approval from CASA, 2023 is set to be the year of seeing more of your own backyard for less."

As a digital-first airline, tickets can only be purchased on the Fly Bonza app or from registered local travel agents. Bonza also wants to communicate directly with its potential passengers via the app, so it's urging them to sign up and get the latest booking and flight news as it happens.

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All about connections

Bonza - Full Network Map_Destination Labels
Data: Bonza

Bonza's strategy is around connecting communities not currently serviced by low-cost carriers. The startup says it has been working with the regulator on its initial route map of 17 destinations and 27 routes - 93% of which are not currently served by any other airline and 96% of which currently have no low-cost carrier. Jordan added:

"I'd like to thank our team of legends who have worked very hard to achieve today's milestone working alongside CASA, who do incredibly important work for regulating Australian aviation. Now, our focus turns to connecting communities and we hope to see many Aussies onboard soon."

In its statement this afternoon, CASA Director of Aviation Safety and CEO Pip Spence said the AOC process was designed to ensure that everyone boarding an aircraft in Australia could do so with confidence and the knowledge they were traveling safely. She added:

"Australia has one of the safest aviation industries in the world and travelers should be assured when they get on a Bonza aircraft that the operator has been assessed in detail to ensure it complies with the same safety requirements as other Australian airlines."

Bonza Boeing 737 MAX 8
Photo: Bonza

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Plenty of hoops to jump through

To get the CASA AOC Bonza's assessment included:

  • a thorough examination of technical documentation, including verification and testing
  • determining that Bonza has the facilities, processes and appropriately trained personnel to comply with its operations manual
  • conducting assessments of Bonza's proposed operations, facilities, aircraft and the aerodromes to which it operates to ensure they meet CASA's safety requirements.

In December, Bonza received its fourth Boeing 737 MAX 8 and has been training crews and ground staff for some months as it works through the AOC process. With the regulatory hurdle now cleared, there will be a flurry of announcements in the coming days and weeks as the airline scrambles to get a piece of the summer travel season.

This is a momentous day for Jordan, his team and investors who have stayed the course while many around them proclaimed the airline would never get off the ground. Hats off to Bonza!

Are you aiming to be on the first flights of the Bonza MAX 8s? Let us know in the comments.