New low-cost domestic airline Bonza has unveiled 25 routes it will offer between 16 regional destinations in Australia's eastern states.
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The carrier will offer flights between Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast.
Bonza says its tickets will go on sale within two weeks and it's aiming to launch its first flight in mid-2022 provided it gets regulatory approval.
The airline has also announced its home base will be the Sunshine Coast Airport in Queensland with a secondary base in Melbourne.
Former Virgin Blue executive Tim Jordan, who's leading the venture, says the carrier wants to attract regional travellers rather than compete with current airlines on capital city routes, such as between Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
He says Bonza will make it easier for travellers to get from region to region without needing to layover in capital cities.
"With destinations ranging from Albury to the Whitsundays, travellers will now be able to fly, instead of impossibly long road trips as well as fly direct without a stopover in a major city," Mr Jordan said in a statement.
"Aussies can look forward to enjoying more time at their destination and spending less of their hard earned cash getting there in the first place."
He also said 20 of Bonza's 25 routes are not offered by other airlines and all but one of the 16 destinations were not served by low-cost carriers.
Bonza's routes will be serviced by five 737 MAX aircraft, which seat 138-204 people, with the carrier planning to have eight planes operating by mid-2023.
The planes will have white and purple livery.
The Bonza head office team will comprise about 100 people, while each plane will require about 50 workers.
Australian Associated Press
