Despite going down to England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final this week, the Australian football team is continuing to win the hearts of the nation.
Record attendances and merchandise sales in the lead up to their campaign saw the popularity of the sport, and women’s sport in general, soar.
It’s not time to touch down yet either, with Bonza Airlines announcing it has plans to refuel the passion, vowing to name its next aircraft after the beloved green and gold team.
In an announcement to its followers overnight, the team behind Australia’s newest airline promised to honour the efforts of the popular soccer squad in a big way.
In celebration of the Matildas’ World Cup success, Australia’s newest airline Bonza has promised to name its next aircraft ‘Matilda’.
The company so far has four aircraft named Shazza, Bazza, Sheila and Malc.
The fifth plane, due to arrive next year after the Gold Coast base launch, will take pride of place in the Aussie skies with Matilda proudly painted on its side.
Bonza CCO Carly Povey says the pledge was an opportunity for the purple team to thank the green and gold team.
“Like the rest of the nation, our team of legends have been gripped by Matilda Mania thanks to their sportsmanship, mateship with one another and their pride in wearing the green and gold,” she explained.
“As an airline that is solely focussed on Australia, it seemed fitting to name our next aircraft Matilda.
“From all of us here at Bonza, congratulations and well done to the Matildas for what you’ve achieved on and off the pitch.”
Last year the purple carrier made headlines when it asked travellers to ‘nick the nicknames’ for its existing fleet.
Naming its planes, Povey says, has personified them, giving them all unique personalities amongst the crew and customers.
Bonza has been flying in and out of Newcastle Airport since its maiden voyage into the former steel city in March 2023.
Despite adjusting its schedules in April, dumping less popular flights in order to continue business, its route map includes 17 destinations and 33 routes.
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