Bonza Expresses Interest in Sydney Base but Faces Slot Allocation Challenges

Bonza, the Australian carrier backed by 777 Partners, has expressed interest in establishing a base at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport but faces challenges in securing appropriate slots for operations. During a Senate Committee hearing, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan revealed the airline’s desire to base four aircraft in Sydney, serving eight regional destinations. However, Jordan claimed the airline was discouraged from applying for slots, hindering its plans to expand operations from Australia’s largest city.

While Bonza has not formally applied for slots, Jordan highlighted the potential for growth in Sydney, citing the success of the airline’s Melbourne base, where it initiated services on nine routes, seven of which were not served by other carriers. The CEO urged a reevaluation of slot allocation practices, emphasizing that the available slots could benefit Australians with low-cost fares.

The slot allocation process at Sydney Airport has been a subject of longstanding debate, with allegations of slot hoarding and last-minute cancellations by major carriers. The Airport Coordination Australia (ACA) manages slot allocations independently, and while Bonza has not made a formal application, ACA expressed willingness to consider any such application.

Bonza, which commenced scheduled operations earlier this year, operates four B737-8s and plans to open a third base at Gold Coast Coolangatta in November. Despite its growth, the airline faces challenges accessing slots at Sydney Airport, limiting its presence in this key market.