Looking for new pilots: Bonza blames cancellations on industrywide shortage

Panoramic field in the Clare Valley, South Australia
Edited by Travel Weekly


Bonza says the recent increase in cancellations is mainly due to a pilot shortage in the industry.

The budget airline cancelled 4 per cent of its flights since February.

While Bonza has said the cancellation rate is too high, it’s still below that of other airlines such as Jetstar with a reported cancellation rate of around 8 per cent.

Bonza is the solo operator on many of its routes, so cancellations often have a bigger impact on travellers with no alternative airlines available.

The ACCC recently ruled the airline industry lacked competitiveness, airfares remained too high and cancellations too frequent.

In its June report, Bonza reported a cancellation figure of just 0.5 per cent for April.

Bonza chief commercial officer Carly Povey said she was aware of the impact an unreliable service could have on the future of the airline.

“People love our brand new planes, all-Aussie menu and cabin crew legends (but) we also know that in the past couple of months, not everyone has had a good experience with Bonza and we need to stare directly into why that is,” she said.

“We’ve recently been challenged with crew shortages due to our pilot training program being behind schedule.

“We’ve also had aircraft out of action for additional maintenance checks following unforeseeable events like bird strikes and weather.

“All of this has led to regrettable cancellations for customers including seven flights that have been cancelled in future dates in July,” Povey said in a statement.

“Clearly training is dependent on flying and sadly there is a direct correlation between the two issues.”.

“We are accelerating our pilot training program, undertaking ongoing recruitment to allow additional standby crew and to use spare aircraft capacity where it is available.”

Latest News

  • Hotels

Groupe Barriere appoints La Collection as ANZ representative of its Fouquet’s properties

Groupe Barriere has announced it has appointed La Collection as the exclusive representative for Australia and New Zealand of its two flagship Fouquet’s properties. This partnership brings together La Collection’s dedication to exceptional boutique experiences with the legendary heritage of the Fouquet’s brand. Groupe Barriere, a name synonymous with French luxury and the art of […]

  • Conferences
  • First Nations
  • Tourism

Indigenous tourism drives economic growth: The World Travel & Tourism Council finds

Indigenous tourism is projected to contribute US$67 billion ($AU100 billion) to the global economy by 2034, a landmark World Travel & Tourism Council has found. This economic boom is fuelled by increasing demand for authentic cultural experiences, in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, among others. The report showcases the sector’s role […]

  • Conferences
  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

Perth’s Matagarup Zip+Climb becomes world’s first member of WTTC’s ‘Together in Travel’ for SMEs

Perth’s Matagarup Zip+Climb co-founder Ryan Mossny has been named the world’s first member of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s new ‘Together in Travel’ program for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Announced at the 2024 Global Summit in Perth (Boorloo), today the ‘Together in Travel’ program is a unique initiative aimed at providing support and […]