[1] The airline signalled its intention to disassociate from the main cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane,[1] instead setting up its headquarters at Sunshine Coast Airport[3] with the aim of growing the market by focusing on under-utilised and unserved routes between regional and domestic cities through a point-to-point network model, similar to that of Ryanair in Europe.

[4][5] As a low-cost carrier, Bonza launched without a frequent-flyer program or airport lounges[1] and limited bookings solely to its FlyBonza app.

[1][2] However, its first routes were only announced in February 2022,[8] and the airline did not receive its air operator's certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority until 12 January 2023.

[19] Travel Weekly reported in late June that Bonza was attributing a recent increase in flight cancellations to an industry-wide pilot shortage.

The airline's chief operating officer Carly Povey cited crew shortages, a pilot training program that was behind schedule, and aircraft that were temporarily put out of action due to bird strikes and weather events as some of the other causes of the reliability issues.

The open letter also announced that sales for flights between late October 2023 and April 2024 would commence soon, and that work to establish a third base was progressing.

[22] On 1 August 2023, Bonza announced it would open its third base at Gold Coast Airport to coincide with the beginning of the summer holidays.

[24] A few days later, Travel Bulletin reported that a reciprocal wet lease agreement had been entered into with Flair Airlines, which is also backed by 777 Partners and operates a fleet consisting entirely of the Boeing 737.

[32][33] Later that same morning, Bonza's chief executive Tim Jordan confirmed the airline had temporarily suspended services amid discussions regarding the ongoing viability of the business.

[34] On the afternoon of 30 April 2024, documents were filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission declaring Bonza had entered voluntary administration and would be externally administered by accounting firm Hall Chadwick.

This included $77M in loans, $4.6M in unpaid aircraft leases, $10.5M in outstanding airport fees, $16M owed to trade suppliers and $5.3M to staff.

[42][43] On 27 May 2024, the Federal Court of Australia granted Hall Chadwick a two-month extension to administration period, until 29 July, with the aim of selling the company.

They emphasised to the court that the most valuable asset of the airline is its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), which could be at risk of cancellation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) if liquidation occurs.

Hall Chadwick informed the court that discussions with two potential buyers were ongoing, and finalising a sale agreement may take two to three weeks.

[50] On 4 October 2022, Bonza announced a four-year sponsorship deal with Australian A-League Men's football club Melbourne Victory to be their front-of-shirt principal partner on both their home and away kits.