Bonza Airline 737-8 Max 'Shazza' Arrives at Sunshine Coast Airport.
34Bonza Airlines has been given the go-ahead to begin flights to regional airports across Queensland and interstate following approval by the industry regulator.
Bonza announced it was granted its Air Operator Certificate by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) just before 2pm Queensland time.
The carrier will fly to 17 destinations in total, including 13 from its base on the Sunshine Coast, such as Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland.
Interstate destinations include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Newcastle, Albury, Mildura, Avalon, and Melbourne.
Regional Development Minister Catherine King said it was the first new major airline for Australia since Tiger Airways launched more than 15 years ago.
The airline had hoped to have flights operating from mid-2022 when it first announced its plans in late 2021, but was forced to wait for a range of approvals from CASA.
Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan said he expected tickets to be on sale within days with flights due to start before February.
Video courtesy of Bonza Airline.
BOEING 737 NG / MAX - VH-UJT
Type 737-8MAX
First flight date 12/09/2019
Plane age 3.3 years
Engines 2 x CFMI LEAP-1B