Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Bonza temporarily suspended services amid concerns over airline's viability



It is really disappointing to hear regional airline Bonza has halted flights while the company assesses its "ongoing viability".

"Today, Bonza has temporarily suspended services that were scheduled to operate, as we are currently in discussions about the ongoing viability of the business," stated Bonza CEO Tim Jordan.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers affected by this and are working swiftly to find a solution that ensures continued competition in the Australian domestic aviation market."

On the 30th of April, four flights heading to the Gold Coast were canceled from Mackay, Melbourne (Avalon), Launceston, and Proserpine.

Flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Newcastle and Rockhampton have been canceled, while flights to Avalon, Mildura, and Mackay are still listed.



Federal Transport Minister Catherine King announced she had spoken with the CEOs of Qantas and Virgin, who are prepared to help stranded passengers return home.

"My department has contacted Bonza, and we expect them to keep passengers informed about their options and consumer rights," Ms King stated.

Additionally, the department is setting up a hotline for stranded passengers, with details to be provided once available.

Virgin Australia has extended complimentary travel to passengers affected by the cancellations.

"We will offer immediate support to passengers stranded mid-journey by providing complimentary seats on Virgin Australia-operated flights to the airport closest to their intended Bonza destination," the airline announced on X.

For Bonza passengers already at an airport, please approach a Virgin Australia customer service representative or call our Guest Contact Centre at 13 67 89., a Virgin spokesperson said."

Bonza, established in October 2021 by ex-Virgin Blue executive Tim Jordan, received its initial investment and backing from the U.S. investment firm 777 Partners and commenced operations on the 31st of January 2023.

Bonza Aviation Pty Ltd, operating as Bonza, was an Australian low-cost airline, headquartered on the Sunshine Coast.  

Monday, 29 April 2024

More from Perth Airport

Yesterday I called out to Perth airport again for around 5 hours. The highlight for me yesterday was seeing the Air Mauritius A330-900.


QANTAS AIRBUS A330-203 VH-EBL (MSN 0976)
QF643 ARRIVING FROM SYSDNEY (SYD) 15 YEARS OLD


QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNF (MSN 36239)
QF10 ARRIVING FROM LONDON (LHR) 5 YEARS OLD


ALLIANCE FOKKER 70 VH-NKU (MSN 11555)
QQ6061 ARRIVING FROM COONDEWANNA (CJF) 28 YEARS OLD

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VQW (MSN 2329)
NWK2987 ARRIVING FROM WODGINA (QBW) 19 YEARS OLD

QANTAS A330-202 VH-EBC (MSN 0506)
QF769 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 21 YEARS OLD

AIRASIA AIRBUS A320-216 PK-AZQ (MSN 3875)
QZ535 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 15 YEARS OLD

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YVD (MSN 40998)
VA679 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 12 YEARS OLD

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A320-232 VH-UVO (MSN 2453)
QF1604 OFF TO DARWIN (DRW) 18 YEARS OLD


VIRGIN AUSTRALIA AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VKQ (MSN 4053)
VA9052 ARRIVING KARRATHA (KTA) 14 YEARS OLD

REX SAAB 340B VH-EKX (MSN 340B-257)
ZL2358 ARRIVING FROM ESPERANCE (EPR) 33 YEARS OLD


QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VZJ (MSN 34185)
QF935 ARRIVING FROM BRISBANE (BNE) 13 YEARS OLD

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-IXJ (MSN 44226)
VA555 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 9 YEARS OLD

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VFF (MSN 5039)
JQ117 ARRIVING FROM DENPASAR (DPS) 12 YEARS OLD

SINGAPORE FLYING COLLEGE CESSNA 172 VH-YOA (MSN 172S-12459)

QANTASLINK FOKKER 100 VH-NHF (MSN 11458)
NWK2985 ARRIVING FROM WODGINA (QBW) 30 YEARS OLD

PENJET BEECH 1900C VH-PJQ (MSN UC-19)

SINGAPORE AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHG (MSN 309)
SQ213 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS OLD


BATIK AIRBUS A320-214 PK-LUY (MSN 7905)
ID6007 ARRIVING FROM DENPASAR (DPS) 6 YEARS OLD


BEECH KING AIR B200 VH-MQZ (MSN BB-1961)

AIR MAURITIUS AIRBUS A330-941 3B-NBU (MSN 1884)
MK441 OFF TO PORT LOUIS (MRU) 5 YEARS OLD



SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHS (MSN 447)
SQ223 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 3 YEARS OLD

MALAYSIA AIRLINES BOEING 737-8HS 9M-MXW (MSN 40160)
MH125 ARRIVING FROM KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 9 YEARS OLD

THAI BOEING 787-8 HS-TQA (MSN 35315)
TG481 ARRIVING FROM BANGKOK (BKK) 9 YEARS OLD


CESSNA CONQUEST 441 VH-SJQ (MSN 441-0173)

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MAX 8 VH-8IC (MSN 66635)
VA466 ARRIVING FROM BRISBANE (BNE) 6 MONTHS OLD

WAMOS AIRBUS A330-243 EC-NCK (MSN 0840)
NZ173 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 16 YEARS OLD
FLYING FRO AIR NEW ZEALAND


National Airlines Flight 102

NATIONAL AIRLINES BOEING 747-412 N756CA (MSN 26547)


National Airlines Flight 102 was a cargo flight from Camp Shorabak (OAI/OAIX) in Afghanistan to Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/OMDW) in Dubai, with a refueling stop at Bagram Airfield. On the 29th of April 2013, the Boeing 747-400 operating the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Bagram, resulting in the death of all seven crew members on board.

The investigation determined that cargo not properly secured broke loose during takeoff, rolled to the rear, breached the rear pressure bulkhead, and disabled the flight control systems at the back. This caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrollable pitch-up position, leading to a stall and making it impossible for the pilots to regain control.

The airline had been running flights between Camp Bastion and Dubai for a month before the crash. The ill-fated flight began at Camp Bastion, loaded with five heavy armored vehicles, and stopped at Bagram to refuel. Taking off from Bagram's runway 03 at 15:30 local time, the aircraft was ascending through 1,200 feet (370 m) when it abruptly pitched up. It then stalled, banked right, and leveled off just before crashing and exploding into a fireball, narrowly missing nearby vehicles. The crash occurred off the end of runway 03, within the airfield's boundary. All seven crew members, all American citizens including four pilots, two mechanics, and a loadmaster, perished. There were no ground injuries.

A thunderstorm was near Bagram at the crash time, with a 120° wind direction change about 35 minutes prior. A car's dashboard camera near the runway captured the crash, showing the aircraft's sharp pitch up, stall, and subsequent right bank after a slight left bank, suggesting asymmetrical lift. The aircraft then attempted to right itself.


Aircraft Information:
Airline: National Airlines
Code: N8/NCR
Aircraft: Boeing 747-428
Registration: N949CA
Serial Number: 25630
Engines: 4 x GE CF6-80C2B1F
First Flew: 29/01/1993
Age: 9.9 Years


Sunday, 28 April 2024

Aloha Airlines Flight 243

On the 28th of April 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243, a scheduled flight from Hilo (ITO/PHTO) to Honolulu (PNL/PHNL) in Hawaii, experienced a catastrophic event. The Boeing 737-297 serving the route underwent severe damage due to an explosive decompression mid-flight, caused by part of the fuselage rupturing from poor maintenance and metal fatigue. Remarkably, the aircraft managed a safe landing at Kahului Airport (OGG/PHOG) on Maui. The incident resulted in one fatality, flight attendant Clarabelle "C.B." Lansing, who was ejected from the airplane, and injuries to another 65 passengers and crew. The significant damage from the decompression, the loss of a crew member, and the aircraft's safe descent marked this as a pivotal moment in aviation history, influencing future aviation safety regulations and practices.

Following a standard takeoff and climb, the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 24,000 feet (7,300 m). At approximately 13:48, while 23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi) south-southeast of Kahului on Maui, a portion of the left side roof ruptured, emitting a "whooshing" sound. The captain experienced the aircraft rolling left and right, with the controls becoming unresponsive. The first officer observed fragments of grey insulation in the cockpit. The cockpit door was dislodged, revealing "blue sky where the first-class ceiling had been." An extensive section of the roof, spanning the entire upper half of the aircraft from just behind the cockpit to the forward wing area, measuring about 18 feet (5.5 m), had detached.

The plane was a Boeing 737-297, the 152nd Boeing 737 constructed at the Renton assembly plant. Built in 1969 and initially named King Kalaniopuu after Kalaniʻōpuʻu, it was delivered new to Aloha Airlines and registered as N73711, with serial number 20209. It was later leased to Air California / Air Cal, during which time its original name was transferred to N728AL. Upon its return to Aloha, it was renamed Queen Liliuokalani in honor of Liliʻuokalani. Prior to the accident, the airframe had logged 35,496 flight hours and nearly 90,000 flight cycles, primarily from short-haul flights, far exceeding its intended design limit. At that point, Aloha Airlines operated the two Boeing 737s with the highest number of flight cycles globally, with this aircraft ranking second.


Saturday, 27 April 2024

Chipmunk crashes at Jandakot Airport

I spent the day spotting at Jandakot airport yesterday when unfortunately, a 66-year-old de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk crashed while taking off from runway 24R.
Great news is the 77-year-old single pilot survived the crash but sadly he is in a critical condition in hospital.
I wish him a speedy recovery.












Aircraft Information:
Owner / Operator: Private
Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
Registration: VH-POR
Serial Number: OGMA-44
Engine: De Havilland GIPSY MAJOR 10 MK.2
First Flew:1958
Age: 66 Years Old



Friday, 26 April 2024

Spotting at Perth Airport

Yesterday morning I called into Perth Airport for what was only going to be a few hours, and I ended up spending the whole day there. The main reason for staying was the arrival of a Silkways West Boeing 747-400. Along with that Perth airport has so much more traffic than Brisbane does. Not just international arrivals like, Malaysia, AirAsia, Scoot, Etihad, Citi Link and Air Mauritius to name a few, but in domestic aircraft, Virgin Australia's Airbus A320, Qantas A320's and 787's, QantasLink Fokker 100, Maroomba, Skippers and National Jet Express.


QANTASLINK AIRBUS A320-232 VH-JQL (MSN 2185)
QF2921 ARRIVING FROM ELIWANA CAMP (WHB) 19 YEARS OLD

ALLIANCE FOKKER F100 VH-UQB (MSN 11483)
QQ732 ARRIVING FROM CAPE PRESTON (QBE) 30 YEARS OLD

NATIONAL JET EXPRESS EMBRAER E190AR VH-8EA (MSN 19000488)
NC157 ARRIVING FROM SUNRISE DAM 12 YEARS OLD


VIRGIN AUSTRALIA AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VNF (MSN 3332)
VA9338 ARRIVING FROM COONDEWANNA (CJF) 16 YEARS OLD

NATIONAL JET EXPRESS DASH 8 Q400 VH-IYJ (MSN 4539)
NC935 ARRIVING FROM MOUNT KEITH (WME) 7 YEARS OLD

AIR NORTH EMBRAER 170LR VH-ANO (MSN 17000099)
TL901 ARRIVING FROM KALGOORLIE (KGI) 18 YEARS OLD

QANTASLINK FOKKER 100 VH-NHY (MSN 11467)
QF1617 ARRIVING FROM PARABURDOO (PBO) 30 YEARS OLD

MAROOMBA AIRLINES DASH 8-100 VH-QQD (MSN 041)
MB52G ARRIVIG FROM GOLDEN GROVE (QBG) 33 YEARS OLD

AERLINK ATR72-500 VH-FVM (MSN 979)
HT741 ARRIVING FROM MOUNT HOLLAND (QBH) 12 YEARS OLD

MARITIME SAFETY CHALLENGER 604 VH-XND (MSN 5634)

PENJET BEECH 1900D VH-PFI (MSN UE-108)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBC (MSN 0506)
QF643 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 21 YEARS OLD

BATIK AIR BOEING 737-MAX 8 9M-LRJ (MSN 43018)
OD196 OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 4 YEARS OLD

SKIPPERS DASH 8 300 VH-XFZ (MSN 365)
PY3032 ARRIVING FROM MOUNT MAGNET (MMG) 30 YEARS OLD

AIRASIA AIRBUS A320-216 PK-AZF (MSN 5706)
QZ535 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 10 YEARS OLD

SILK WAY WEST BOEING 747-83QF VQ-BVC (MSN 44937)
AZG9932 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 10 YEARS OLD




SINGAPORE AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHW (MSN 485)
SQ226 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 2 YEARS OLD

BATIK AIR AIRBUS A320-214 PK-LUY (MSN 7905)
ID6008 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 6 YEARS OLD


MALAYSIA AIRLINES BOEING 737-8H6 9M-MXY (MSN 40162)
MH125 ARRIVING FROM KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 9 YEARS OLD

NEXUS DASH 8 Q400 VH-8XC (MSN 4331)
CT602 OFF TO GERALDTON (GET) 14 YEARS OLD

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WA PARTENAVIA P.68B VH-IXE (MSN 178)

OFF TO HONK KONG 


QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNH (MSN 36241)
QF209 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS OLD


JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251 VH-OFV (MSN 11301)
JQ986 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 1 YEAR OLD

SKIPPERS AVIATION DASH 8 Q300 VH-XKI (MSN 587)

AUSTRALIAN CORPORATE JET CHALLENGER 604 VH-SCR (MSN 5557)

AERLINK ATR72-500 VH-FVR (MSN 0812)
HT889 ARRIVING FROM ALICE SPRINGS (ASP) 15 YEARS OLD

STAR AVIATION BEECH 200 SUPER KING AIR VH-LKF (BB-660)

WAMOS AIR AIRBUS A330-243 EC-NCK (MSN 0840)
NZ173 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 16 YEARS OLD
FLYING FOR AIR NEW ZEALAND