Grant & Steve return for an Australia Desk report; the first for 2024, and much has happened in the first half of the year on the Australian aviation scene.

Sadly, in a case of "we told you so", new LCC entrant Bonza Airlines has ceased operations after 15 months, entering into voluntary administration on April 30th. Despite numerous reports of a buyer being found for the group, lessors had repossessed all of the company's 737 MAX8 aircraft, the last of which departed Australia on June 5th.

Bonza joins a long list of failed operators who've tried to enter the local airline market, only to find that hype, spin and fancy PR only go so far before the financial realities of operating in an ultra-competitive aviation environment begin to take their toll. Previous entrants include Compass, Air Australia, JetGo, Impulse (which morphed eventually into Jetstar), OzJet, and most notably (but for perhaps a wider range of issues) Ansett.

But fear not! As cringeworthy as the infantile branding of Bonza was, Grant shakes Steve to his boots with news of a possible new contender under the name Koala Airlines. Oh dear....

In defence news, the RAAF has taken delivery of its first MQ-4C Triton aircraft; the first of four on order which will be based in northern Australia at RAAF Base Tindal, and operated remotely from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia by 9 Squadron.

9SQN had been stood down since 1989, following the transfer of Australia's Blackhawk fleet to the Army, and has now been reactivated in this new RPAS role. The squadron enjoys a rich history however, dating back to its inception in 1939.