A new low-cost airline has won approval to start flying across regional Australia.
Bonza Airlines has been given the go-ahead to begin flights to regional airports across Queensland and interstate following approval by the industry regulator.
Bonza announced it was granted its Air Operator Certificate by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) just before 2pm Queensland time.
The carrier will fly to 17 destinations in total, including 13 from its base on the Sunshine Coast, such as Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland.
Interstate destinations include Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Newcastle, Albury, Mildura, Avalon, and Melbourne.
Regional Development Minister Catherine King said it was the first new major airline for Australia since Tiger Airways launched more than 15 years ago.
First flights possible this month
The airline had hoped to have flights operating from mid-2022 when it first announced its plans in late 2021, but was forced to wait for a range of approvals from CASA.
Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan said he expected tickets to be on sale within days with flights due to start before February.
"I'm hoping that we're talking days, or potentially a week or two, but not more than that," Mr Jordan said.
"I would be hoping that by the end of the month, we will be taking to Australian skies."
Mr Jordan said the airline would hold on to its low-cost goal.
"We believe that fares should start from about $50 for every hour that you fly," he said.
Routes will be gradually added, as the carrier's workforce and fleet continued to grow.
"It will be staggered, but it will be as quickly as is reasonable, over a number of weeks and likely a number of months."
The first Bonza flights – on planes nicknamed Bazza, Shazza, and Sheila – will be along 17 routes from its Sunshine Coast base, before expanding into a second base in Melbourne.
Tickets for flights will only be available through its Fly Bonza app or travel agents.
Airline regulator gives purple airline the green light
CASA director of aviation safety Pip Spence said the airline had been through a "rigorous assessment" to ensure it was safe to fly.
"All commercial operators in Australia have to go through this process, which considers how the operator will meet the required safety standards," she said.
The authority said it had been working with Bonza since it put in an application last year.
It granted the approval once the airline submitted its final documents and wrapped up its proving flights to multiple destinations.
Minister welcomes Bonza plan
Ms King said it was a "welcome milestone" describing the airline's routes as "underserviced".
"The entry of a new operator will boost competition in the Australian aviation sector, offering more choice to the travelling public, and putting downward pressure on fares," she said.
"Australia has one of the safest aviation sectors in the world.
"I commend the staff at CASA and Bonza who have worked hard over many months to progress this certification and to ensure that Bonza meets the high safety standards required of all airlines operating in Australia."
Aviation expert says new airline has 'bright future'
University of Southern Queensland Professor of aviation economics Shane Zhang said Bonza's entry was great news, particularly for those flying outside of metropolitan areas.
"Bonza's operation is great news for regional Australia where people had to pay high airfares to travel to capital cities for most of the year," he said.
Professor Zhang said capital city travellers would also likely benefit because regional airlines can always decide to fly popular routes between major centres "thus putting downward pressure on the airfares between the big cities".
"I believe Bonza has a bright future in the coming years as the demand for air travel will continue to recover and grow both in the domestic and international markets," he said.
"The two major carriers do not have the capacity in the short run to capture all the growth opportunities.
"So it's very good timing for Bonza to enter at the moment."
