Canadian's Flair Airlines to help out on Bonza's new routes

BONZA BOEING MAX 8 VH-UIK (MSN 43975)

Australia's newest airline Bonza will work with its ‘sister’ airline in Canada on the wet lease deal that will enable it to set up a third base in the Gold Coast.

The agreement will see Flair aircraft and crew fly Bonza-branded flights in the Australian summer, while Bonza will reciprocate and send its planes and people to Canada during the North American peak season.

The news comes after Bonza surprisingly announced earlier this week that it would expand its operations by adding a third base in the popular Queensland city, which it will use to fly to 11 destinations from November.

However, it initially provided few details about how the wet lease agreement would work – an industry term meaning another airline effectively lends both an aircraft and crew to operate the service.

Last Friday, it emerged the deal would be with low-cost carrier Flair, which is part-owned by Bonza investor 777 Partners.

FLAIR AIRLINES BOEING 737-86N C-FFLA (MSN 36548)

“In the Northern Hemisphere, during the winter months, domestic demand is lower, but sun destinations remain popular, and the reverse is true in the spring, summer and fall,” said Flair.

“With that in mind, we have entered a strategic and reciprocal partnership with Bonza – Australia’s newest low-cost carrier.

“We will temporarily lease two aircraft to Bonza in late fall that will allow them to kick-start operations out of a new base for the peak Australian summer holiday season.

“This is a reciprocal partnership that both airlines intend to leverage for many years to come.”

Wet leasing appears to be becoming more prevalent recently, given post-COVID supply chain disruptions that have slowed down the delivery of new aircraft to airlines.

Story sourced from here

Bonza to work with ‘sister’ Canadian airline for Gold Coast flights – Australian Aviation