Jake Nelson

In a submission to the Senate inquiry into Australia’s bilateral air rights agreements, the carrier – a codeshare partner of Qatar – questioned the logic behind denying the Middle Eastern airline the right to increase its frequency into Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth from the current 28 flights per week.

Over 90 per cent of Menzies Cargo TWU members in Brisbane, who supply cargo services to United Airlines, Qatar, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Eva Air, will walk off the job on Thursday and Friday, saying they are being paid $6,000 less than counterparts in Sydney and Melbourne for the same work.

Speaking exclusively to Australian Aviation, Bonza chief commercial officer Carly Povey said that during holiday periods, routes such as Albury to Sunshine Coast are 100 per cent full on most days while average load factors in off-peak periods are in the 70s.

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has written to new CEO Vanessa Hudson to inform her of its position. This is the first time in the AIPA’s history it has called on a Qantas chair to quit, and it comes after apologies by both Goyder and Hudson in recent weeks.

The low-cost carrier has partnered with travel tech startup Awai to roll out the package deals, which can be booked through its FlyBonza app. The first phase includes flights, accommodation, and optional travel insurance, with the second phase to cover offerings such as car hire and tours.

The Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RAZC) scheme, which was budgeted for $6.2 million in its first year, cost the state government $17 million in FY23. According to industry insiders cited by the Financial Review, most of this went to Qantas, which operates around 65 per cent of regional flights in WA.