A route between Newcastle Williamtown (NTL) and Maroochydore Sunshine Coast (MCY) operated by a small commuter airline appears to have become an early victim of startup airline Bonza. Newcastle-based FlyPelican normally flies the route along Australia’s east coast, but this week advised it was discontinuing the service owing to rising fuel costs and Bonza planning to fly the route.
In an update to operations on Wednesday, FlyPelican advised it was ending its twice-weekly Jetstream 32 turboprop services between NTL and MCY.
“With increasing fuel costs and the announcement of a new budget airline taking up residence in Maroochydore, we have made the difficult decision to cease this route from the end of April as it is unfortunately no longer financially viable,” the update from FlyPelican reads.
FlyPelican off the NTL – MCY route despite no firm start date from Bonza
FlyPelican’s flirtation with Maroochydore was…