Koala Airlines: Bonza 2.0?

[Ayden H]

Yet another company trying to enter the turbulent (pun intended) Aussie aviation market. They are basing themselves out of Melbourne and look to be getting the 737 MAX (how original). Apparently a rebranding of the former Desert Air Safaris. However I noticed a that the AOC they claim to have (CASA.AOC.0317) belongs to the State of Western Australia according to casa records and is actually CASA.138AWK.0317.

What does everyone think? Just another startup that'll be liquidated in 12 months' time or do they have a fighting chance?

P.S. Aerotime wrote a piece on them yesterday, worth a read. Also they don't elaborate much on the "different approach" they supposedly have.

[lloyd fox]

First of all they have had a web site going for way over 5 years as i have had it in my favourites.

Around 3 months ago they stated things are starting to move along now and they stated that a new WEB site will come on line soon.

This web site came on line a week or 2 ago and then everyone noticed them.

Who knows if they will be successful but i think they are a chance .Does the White paper help with Sydney slots?

One to watch.

[Ayden H]

One to watch.

Definitely. It'll certainly be very interesting to see how it plays out, given that Bonza almost turned a profit before 777 Partners pulled the plug.

[Greg Hyde]

Already nicknamed "Drop Bear Air"

[Ayden H]

I did see that. I've found some more articles on them:

Aviation Week (https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/koala-airlines)
Airways Magazine (https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/koala-airlines-australias-new-lcc-contender)
Tour and Travel World (https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/australias-commercial-skies-see-a-new-hope-with-koala-airlines-taking-flight/)
Aviation Week (https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/koala-airlines) (paywall)

[Tristan S]

https://australianaviation.com.au/2025/01/koala-airlines-faces-winding-up-application/


In the words of Kevin Bloody Wilson "and it was over... before it began"

[Greg Hyde]

Was mentioned (interviewed) on 4Corners episode on the Bonza & Rex collapses last year.

Probably still on Iview, if you are interested

[Ayden H]

https://australianaviation.com.au/2025/01/koala-airlines-faces-winding-up-application/


In the words of Kevin Bloody Wilson "and it was over... before it began"

Not even remotely surprised. Seemed dodgy from the onset, and they were quiet for ages.

[Brian Wilkes]

Unfortunately, this was just someone's idea stored on a 16Gb USB flash drive!