Bonza Airline Boeing B737-8 MAX VH-UJK 'Sheila' First Visit to CQ at Mackay Airport

On Thursday 23 February, the third Boeing B737-8 MAX to be delivered to low-cost start-up airline Bonza made its first visit into Central Queensland, operating the airline's recently launched scheduled service into Mackay Airport as 'BNZ593/4' from and back to their Sunshine Coast base.

VH-UJK - named 'Sheila' - was delivered to the airline from the USA at the Sunshine Coast back on Monday 12 December 2022 and has sat there until it entered service with Bonza on Wednesday 22 February when it operated their inaugural flight to Townsville and back to the Sunny Coast.

Of interest, Bonza now has a fleet of four B737-8 MAX aircraft, with its latest aircraft VH-UKH touching down on the Sunshine Coast from the USA via Honolulu and Nadi last Friday 17 February.  VH-UKH will reportedly wear the name 'Malc' and possibly be their first aircraft to be based out of Melbourne.

Meanwhile, CQ Plane Spotters are looking forward to the launch of Bonza's scheduled services into Rockhampton Airport on Friday 24 February, with the first BNZ926/7 service due to arrive in the beef city from Townsville at around 11am.  After some ground crew training, it will return to Townsville from Rockhampton Airport at around 12.30pm.  This new service will operate three days per week.

Thanks to Cairns-based enthusiast Seth A for allowing us to share these great photos as he joined VH-UJK on the flight from Mackay Airport to the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Seth Ali  ©