Bonza is planning to suspend operations on five routes due to lack of demand, bringing the total number of routes served from 27 to 22. The airline will suspend operations between Sunshine Coast base to Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.
The airline will also cease flights between Cairns and Mackay, and Toowoomba and Whitsunday Coast while frequencies will be reduced on other routes.
Post announcement the airlines has apologized to the customers and will issue refunds or offer alternate flight with Bonza based on the destination.
Speaking on the route’s suspension, Carly Povey, chief commercial officer, Bonza said: “Demand for some routes from the Sunshine Coast and from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport had been so strong that the airline will consider further services in the future. Albury to Sunshine Coast route had been the airline’s shining star, with half of all flights in June 100% full.”
“Statistically we’ve been very unlucky. We’ve had 10 bird strikes in nine weeks, and when that happens it can genuinely lead an aircraft to be grounded for three or four days, and that in turn slows down pilot training,” Povey added.
The airline has also struggled with its relatively small fleet – it has taken delivery of four Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft since its first flight at the end of January. The airline is expecting its fifth plane towards the end of the year at the earliest.