Australian low-fare airline, Bonza, has released an open letter that outlines changes to its route map – including the removal of five routes, taking the total number down from 27 to 22. Other routes will also have their frequencies reduced.
However, three of the strongest performing routes, Sunshine Coast to Albury, Sunshine Coast to Melbourne, and Melbourne to Port Macquarie, will operate an additional flight each week.
In a statement, Bonza’s Chief Commercial Officer, Carly Povey, said:
“We will be implementing a range of changes to our schedule […] based on what we have learnt so far and the feedback you’ve given us. You could say, we’re taking a step back to allow us to take a leap forward.”
The changes were said to be done in order to set Bonza up for the long term and to allow its services to become more reliable. The changes will take place from 1 August.
The statement went on to clarify that other feedback from passengers had been positive, particularly around the low-fare carrier’s new planes, whilst acknowledging the difficulties caused by cancellations and delays.
By stabilising its route network and reliability, Povey said the airline could then move forward with its growth plans, which include a sale in flights from late October, establishing a third base, and opening new routes enabled by additional aircraft.