A BONZA aircraft touched down at Whitsunday Coast Airport, on Wednesday, December 7, as part of the airline’s preparation process.
Arriving from the Sunshine Coast, Whitsunday Coast Airport staff welcomed the Bonza aircraft as they look forward to seeing the airline take to the skies.
Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism Craig Turner said he was excited to see the iconic purple plane on the tarmac.
“We’re pleased to say the arrival and departure went smoothly and we’re another step closer to opening a new market for the region and connecting the Whitsundays with three new destinations,” Mr Turner said.
Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza Carly Povey said her team of ‘legends’ had the pleasure of flying into Whitsunday Coast Airport, from the home base, at Sunshine Coast Airport.
“The flight is part of our internal preparation process as we prepare for wheels up. We thank Whitsunday Coast Airport for their support today,” she said.
The green light for Bonza has been delayed as the company awaits Civil Aviation Safety Authority
(CASA) approval.
However, an advisor for Bonza said the company wasn’t interested in cutting corners, and that getting it right is important.
“The approvals process is in progress, so we still have a few boxes to check but the sooner the better,” he said.
“Getting it right is important, because you want to deliver a service competently but also give confidence to the market that says, ‘these guys know what they’re doing’.”
Bonza airline crew were working together with staff on the ground at Whitsunday Coast Airport.
“There’s some really basic stuff that we’re testing today like steps and doors, and there’s really complex stuff like airspace, navigation and aircraft operations itself.”
Bonza is set to operate flights between:
Whitsunday and Sunshine Coast – three times per week
Whitsunday and Newcastle – twice per week
Whitsunday and Toowoomba – twice per week.
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