New airline Bonza flags non-stop flights to Tasmania and WA

Chief executive officer Tim Jordan said the possible routes rely on the cooperation of the Tasmanian and WA airport.

"Any new routes is dependent on two airports," he said.

"We have one very willing participant with Newcastle Airport so we just need the willing participants at the other end of the market and when that happens we are ready."

No timeline was put on cheap flights to Tasmania and WA as the company is struggling to make it possible at a low cost.

"The single largest cost is airport costs. It is not the aircraft, it is not fuel, it is not pilots, it is not engineering.

"There are airports out there that charge $30 just for you to walk through their building. That is very wrong. Remember every trip involves two airports so it makes it very hard to have a $50 proposition if one airport is charging $20 or $30 and another airport is charging maybe $10 to $20. That is your fare gone."

The new airline is working with Newcastle Airport in the hopes to bring more tourists to the region, and allow residents to easily travel at a low cost.

"Bonza is about doing what Newcastle Airport has already made fantastic inroads in doing which is driving new non-stop services to and from the region and Bonza is going to be a part of that growth.

"We see there is a lot of opportunities here for Newcastle and this is really a first step."

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said the expansion of flights out of Newcastle Airport will provide more opportunities for the region.

"More new routes mean bigger opportunities for jobs and growth, and greater connectivity for our region. Perth and Tasmania remain firmly on our radar as the next key domestic targets. Success will mean we are directly connected to all State capitals across the nation," he said.

However, international travel from Newcastle Airport is not on the airlines radar.

"We think the opportunities are so great domestically that there is nothing on the horizon at the moment, short, medium or long term," said Mr Jordan.

Bonza announced last week that it would fly four times a week from Newcastle Airport to the Sunshine Coast, and twice to the Whitsundays.

Tickets will cost about $49 each way to the Sunshine Coast and $75 to $100 each way to the Whitsundays, with extra costs for onboard food and checked baggage.

The airline is aiming to offer budget flights from late June or early July, with tickets expected to go on sale within the next two months, pending regulatory approval.

Mr Jordan said the company is focused on growing regional routes, rather than travel to capital cities.

"Everyone who lives here realises the region is on the up and is continuing to grow and grow and shouldn't be dependent on a highway to Sydney for flying in and out of the region.

"Not only will the flights open up new markets for the region's tourism industry, locals will have the opportunity to explore their own backyard with ultra low fares."

The airline will run 25 routes linking 16 destinations, including Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville.

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