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The current tie-up between the two airlines was due to end on 31 March 2023 and was last approved in 2021.
Bonza’s 737 MAX 8 aircraft VH-UIK, nicknamed “Bazza”, touched down at Sunshine Coast Airport as flight AB1023 at 11:07am local time this morning, having departed Melbourne Tullamarine at 10:01am. Bonza is planning to operate two aircraft from Melbourne flying nine routes, seven of which are unique to the low-cost carrier.
Flight VA83 landed in Denpasar at 10:08pm last night, using a Boeing 737-800, having taken off from the Gold Coast at 6:15pm. Virgin bills it as one of its most anticipated short-haul international services, with daily flights to operate in school holiday periods and four return flights per week during the off-peak.
Flight AB609 from the Sunshine Coast touched down yesterday at 2:55 pm, with the inaugural Newcastle flight using Bonza’s Boeing 737 MAX VH-UIK, nicknamed “Bazza”.
The announcement comes after Rex’s deputy chairman, John Sharp, quipped he “can’t imagine” why anyone would fly the airline's upcoming route between Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast.
The long-planned move follows Sydney Airport’s CEO claiming this month that the domestic aviation recovery has been “stagnant” since April last year and appearing to blame airlines for holding back capacity.
PROFILES
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UPRT Australia- Transforming Aviation’s Greatest Risk into Its Greatest Asset
UPRT Australia- Transforming Aviation’s Greatest Risk into Its Greatest Asset
