Bonza will axe five routes from its network and reduce frequencies on others to increase “trust” in the airline, according to an open letter posted on the carrier’s social media.
Penned by Bonza chief commercial officer Carly Povey, the letter outlines changes the CCO says will set the airline up for long-term success – like improving reliability.
It’s not all bad news however, as the budget airline also announced it would be adding capacity to three of its best-performing routes.
All amendments come into effect on 1 August 2023.
The five routes Bonza will remove from its network map include Sunshine Coast-Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast-Port Macquarie, Sunshine Coast-Tamworth, Cairns-Mackay and Toowoomba Wellcamp-Whitsunday Coast.
The low-cost carrier will add one extra flight each week to popular routes Sunshine Coast-Albury, Sunshine Coast-Melbourne (Avalon) and Melbourne-Port Macquarie.
“We’ve been compelled to take out five routes where there isn’t sustainable demand at present,” Povey said.
“Twenty two routes remain and where there is very strong demand, we’re also starting to add in additional flights which is very positive this early on in Bonza’s journey.”
Povey explained that the changes would allow it to primarily achieve two things.
“Firstly, the changes will allow us to build in additional spare capacity within our current fleet of four aircraft, so we have a buffer when things don’t go to plan – and they will by virtue of being an airline,” she said.
“Secondly, by focusing on routes that are performing very well, we’re also taking decisive action by going where the demand is and in turn, setting Bonza up for the long haul.”
So sorry
On behalf of the budget airline, Povey apologised “to those customers who have or will face a cancelled flight”.
“Australia has been waiting for a new airline and you’ve welcomed us with open arms and it is on us to deliver more consistently,” she added.
“These changes allow us to maintain the many great aspects of the Bonza experience whilst also doubling down on consistently delivering reliability.”
While Povey flagged the affection many had for the “brand new shiny purple planes, our all Aussie tucker and thirst quenchers on demand via the app, and our crew legends”, she acknowledged that “in the past couple of months, not everyone has had a good experience with Bonza and we need to stare directly into why that is – specifically when we cancel or delay flights”.
“So in order for us to earn your trust, as we know that we’re at the start of that journey, we have decided to take a step back to allow our services to become more reliable.”
“We will be implementing a range of changes to our schedule from 1 August based on what we have learnt so far and the feedback you’ve given us with regards to route demand.”
According to Povey, the airline will contact affected customers via SMS and automatically issue a full refund or alternate flights, where required.
What’s ahead?
Passengers will be able to grab flights for their summer holidays and Easter 2024 when bookings for late October to April 2024 go on sale “very soon”.
“We’re also working to establish a third base and with that will come new job opportunities and new routes to existing and new destinations.”
To this end, Povey said the carrier would look to add more aircraft to its fleet.
More than 330,000 people have booked flights with Bonza, which first took to the skies in late January 2023.
In an interview with Karryon in June, Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan said the airline could initially fly to up to 20 destinations out of Sydney, if it gets slots.
He also said that over 1,000 Aussie travel agents had signed up with the carrier.
Read the full letter here.
