Bonza Airline Discussion

[sqrt()]

I have plenty, including last Sunday being among a lot of QF passengers rebooked to the next flight, 30 minutes later. Even getting rebooked 6 hours later is a lot better than getting rebooked 3 days later. I recall this being a problem with Tiger, and such a prospect was the chief reason I never flew with them

Sorry, meant getting rebooked from AB to another carrier! Should have said "rebooked on to"

 

[Harrison_133]

From the ABC, Bonza are eyeing a third base and have ruled out cutting struggling routes with the “imminent” schedule extension

Bonza considers expanding to third base, with budget carrier's CEO citing strong demand

Four months after launching, the low-cost carrier is preparing to grow its network with one expert nominating Newcastle as a potential new base.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Saab34]

Looks like they want to cycle the peak festive season before making a final call. Some routes might be dead during this part of the year yet perform well over Xmas.

They did mention they might reduce or increase frequencies however. I can see a whole lot cutting back to twice a week. Others like Albury, Mildura, Port Mac, Cairns could be upped. Looks like Melbourne to Bundy is doing well. Albury seem to be the best performing.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Reading between the lines it sounds like some of the short routes ( ie less than 90 mins) ex MCY are the ones showing slow signs of growth and potential load factor issues.

Will be interesting to see where the third base will be. I would have thought CNS would make the most sense, NTL is brutal on yield- there is well documented evidence on this. Just ask VA.

 

[HS-TQE]

The struggling (non MCY) intra-Qld P2P routes alongside some of the problematic beach hub (MCY) to beach routes like PPP and Coffs Harbour may breath a temporary sigh of relief.

 

[Harrison_133]

I’ve been reading some interesting Facebook posts from unimpressed punters, and things are not so Bonza at the moment.

They’ve already cancelled the Melbourne-Mackay and Melbourne-Rockhampton rotations for next Tuesday, citing crewing requirements, with Mackay passengers being rebooked for the following Saturday. It’s also the third cancellation because of crewing requirements on MEL-ROK in less than 2 weeks.

From all reports, it’s not broken aircraft throwing the schedule into disarray, it’s crew. I flew with them a few weeks ago from Mildura to Melbourne with a 3 hour delay. Reasoning for that delay was also crewing requirements.

Looking at FlightRadar, the Sunshine Coast base is mostly operating as scheduled, but the Melbourne base has a lot of cancellations and last minute schedule changes, including departure times being brought forward.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I’ve been reading some interesting Facebook posts from unimpressed punters, and things are not so Bonza at the moment.

They’ve already cancelled the Melbourne-Mackay and Melbourne-Rockhampton rotations for next Tuesday, citing crewing requirements, with Mackay passengers being rebooked for the following Saturday. It’s also the third cancellation because of crewing requirements on MEL-ROK in less than 2 weeks.

From all reports, it’s not broken aircraft throwing the schedule into disarray, it’s crew. I flew with them a few weeks ago from Mildura to Melbourne with a 3 hour delay. Reasoning for that delay was also crewing requirements.

Looking at FlightRadar, the Sunshine Coast base is mostly operating as scheduled, but the Melbourne base has a lot of cancellations and last minute schedule changes, including departure times being brought forward.

Thanks for that information @Harrison_133. My brother is looking to fly Bonza from Mackay to Melbourne for Christmas, he might want to reconsider his plans - and aim for New Years eve!

 

[Saab34]

I have noted Virgin, Bonza and Rex have been advertising for 737 First Officers in Melbourne for many months now. Virgin is only needing 500 hours. Seems to be a problem base and trying to get the numbers. I guess pilots on the Sunshine Coast are there for lifestyle reasons.

 

[Harrison_133]

The Toowoomba to Proserpine route has been cancelled for the next 2 weeks due to crew requirements, with the next flight scheduled to operate on 23rd June.

 

[aikman]

Albury seem to be the best performing.

It's their most popular route, followed by Avalon and then Cairns.

In flight mode: Bonza settles in for the long haul

 

[Saab34]

I reckon Virgin might kick start a 737 BNE-ABX next Winter.

 

[dajop]

Yeh, Albury has a catchment of 250,000 within 2 hrs drive of the airport, spanning Wagga to Wangaratta, Benalla and Shep. Makes sense. More affordable than the connecting services to Qld offered out of ABX and WGA.

Plus of course the quickest way for the Pru’s and Tru’s to get from their Noosa villa to their chalet in Falls Creek.

 

[kookaburra75]

I hope they start flying into Canberra as planned. It would give us a quick link straight into the Sunshine Coast, which Qantas flew a few times in the past. It would also be handy to get up to my parents at Hervey Bay.

There are 435,000 people in the ACT Regional catchment area, and given what we're like in winter, I can see a lot of traffic going up north. And of course, the Pru’s and Tru’s can get to their ski lodges at Thredbo or Perisher.

 

[henrus]

Wonder how much of the following is true:

777 Partners’ Suspicious Airline Investments (Flair & Bonza)

777 Partners owns stakes in some airlines, including Canada's Flair and Australia's Bonza. Here's why these investments are concerning.

onemileatatime.com

In short there are claims that 777 partners is setting up Flair/Bonza to fail by overcharging for aircraft.

 

[Saab34]

I guess the difference between Flair and Bonza, is 777 own 100% of Bonza, so any shifty shuffling of paperwork only backfires by costing it’s own self.

They only have 25% in Flair.

 

[pauly7]

Wonder how much of the following is true:

777 Partners’ Suspicious Airline Investments (Flair & Bonza)

777 Partners owns stakes in some airlines, including Canada's Flair and Australia's Bonza. Here's why these investments are concerning.

onemileatatime.com

In short there are claims that 777 partners is setting up Flair/Bonza to fail by overcharging for aircraft.

I think you’ll find the structure has been set up this way not to fail but for other ‘strategic purposes’

 

[Saab34]

So the goal with Bonza would be to clearly sell it off at some point, then continue to milk the profits from leasing to Bonza, then move onto the next carrier.

The issue, will be, is if Bonza bleeds heavily which is likely for many reasons, and nobody else wants to pick it up.

 

[HS-TQE]

So the goal with Bonza would be to clearly sell it off at some point, then continue to milk the profits from leasing to Bonza, then move onto the next carrier.

The issue, will be, is if Bonza bleeds heavily which is likely for many reasons, and nobody else wants to pick it up.

PAG might be interested if they can sort out the current mess with REX. Fleet replacement (of the old VA non-BSI 738) right there.

 

[Harrison_133]

777 Partners are also eyeing up a stake in Korean LCC Eastar Jet, which only restarted operations recently after being grounded for 3 years.

US private equity fund wants a stake in Korea's Eastar Jet

A private equity fund is pursuing a 10% stake in Eastar Jet (ESR, Seoul Gimpo), according to Reuters. Reportedly, AIP Capital, the aviation asset management arm of 777 Partners is in "talks" to acquire the shareholding. AIP Capital confirmed to the outlet that discussions were underway and said...

www.ch-aviation.com

 

[Melburnian1]

Wonder how much of the following is true:

In short there are claims that 777 partners is setting up Flair/Bonza to fail by overcharging for aircraft.

In a similar vein to that website, 'The Australian' this week had some story about a former employee of 777 Partners suing the firm and alleging similar, suggesting Bonza has indeed been 'set up to fail'.

As I've no interest in flying this airline, how many are using it? Do its fares rapidly rise closer to departure dates?

What is your perception about its median yield per available seat? OK, or poor?