General News
5 November, 2021
Final call for regional Australian airports
Expressions of interest to be part of Bonza’s inaugural route map close on 15 November
3 November 2021: Australia’s new, and only independent, low-cost airline Bonza, is calling on Australian airports to submit their expression of interest (EOI) before the upcoming closing date of 15 November. Immediately after this Bonza will use the bids to start working through their final network for launch of service which, subject to regulatory approval, is expected in the second quarter of 2022.
Engaging with airports to develop its network is critical to Bonza’s plan of offering all Australians more leisure travel choices at affordable prices. Forty-six airports were invited to bid to be part of the inaugural route map on 12 October when the airline was officially announced. So far, more than 35 airports have indicated they intend to bid for new Bonza services.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan is encouraging airports to put their best foot forward now in order to help their region benefit from increased tourism - particularly as the industry embarks on its pandemic recovery.
“Bonza’s entry to the Australian market will bring more travel choices than ever to everyday Aussies and in turn, stimulate demand for regional destinations that have traditionally struggled with perceptions like distance and cost. We are moving at pace to have flights on sale, so we encourage airports to work with us now on finalising our network,” said Jordan.
Bonza’s Chief Commercial Offifficer Carly Povey took the reins on Monday 1 November and as part of her role will be responsible for airport partnerships. Deciding the network is amongst her top priorities as she lands at Bonza. In addition to holding senior roles at easyJet and Jetstar, Carly was part of the start-up team at UK low-cost carrier Jet2.com and began her career at a UK regional airport.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact low-cost carriers have on regional and local communities who can expect significant direct and indirect employment and economic benefits. We will also be changing lives for many by making it easier for families to reconnect with one another after what might have been years apart. I look forward to working with Australian airports on commercial partnerships for our launch network and schedule. Working to better connect the regions is so important and timely with the pent-up demand to see more of our own backyard’ said Povey.
“I encourage airports to challenge themselves to provide the best possible deal to secure their own future. It will help us not only with our launch network decisions but, critically, with a projection of future growth potential and partners prepared to support us as we stimulate additional leisure travel demand” she added.
In parallel with airport discussions, Bonza’s leadership team continues to have conversations with State and Territory Governments to confirm the airline’s head office location which Jordan has confirmed will be in a regional centre.
This announcement is said to be ‘coming soon’ and will lead to further job creation in regional Australia.
