Jake Nelson

The new terminal, which will cost NZ$2.2 billion for the terminal itself and $1.7 billion in additional integration costs, will include 12 jet aircraft gates to create 26 per cent more seat capacity, as well as two baggage claims and a connection with the existing international terminal.

The project, supported by $60 million in federal government funding, will enable Hobart to handle international flights using wide-body aircraft such as the 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350. Currently, Tasmania is the only Australian state or territory without a strong enough runway for these services.

A source with knowledge of the situation said it was never Bonza’s job to pay the leases on its fleet of 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which have sat grounded since Tuesday after being repossessed by the lessor, AIP Capital.

The addition of Palau, which is part of Micronesia and lies north of Papua New Guinea and east of the Philippines, gives Brisbane the highest number of Pacific connections out of any Australian airport, with a total of 14.

777 Partners, which is believed to have held around 24 per cent of Flair, has seen its stake reduced to almost nothing, according to sources cited in the Australian Financial Review. The Miami-based venture capital firm is also a part owner of Bonza, which entered voluntary administration this week.

Speaking exclusively to Australian Aviation, Bradley Davren, CEO of AVCRO, which has provided MRO services to Bonza since the airline’s inception, said that the stricken low-cost carrier was a viable business before entering voluntary administration on Tuesday afternoon due to a lack of aircraft.