Australia’s new low-cost airline Bonza hopes regional travellers will help them get a foot in the door this week as they attempt to finalise itineraries throughout the country.

The independently-owned budget carrier is currently asking Australian airports, including Newcastle, to submit an expression of interest to host their craft.

On its website Bonza is encouraging future travellers to help their cause.

“We will be speaking to lots of airports across Australia to help us finalise our initial destinations.

“Please let them know if you are keen for Bonza to fly there – maybe on their Facebook or instagram page? We’d love to hear how excited you are for Bonza to potentially arrive at your airport.”

Expressions of Interest from airports will close on 15 November.

Immediately after this, Bonza will use the bids to finalise its network for launch of service which, subject to regulatory approval, is expected in the second quarter of 2022.

Bonza Airline hopes to offer Australians “more leisure travel choices at affordable prices”.

Forty-six airports were invited to bid to be part of its inaugural route map on 12 October when the airline was officially announced.

So far, more than 35 have indicated they intend to bid for new Bonza services.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan is encouraging airports to enter a bid in order to help their region benefit from increased tourism – particularly as the industry embarks on its pandemic recovery.

“Bonza’s entry to the Australian market will bring more travel choices than ever to everyday Aussies and in turn, stimulate demand for regional destinations that have traditionally struggled with perceptions like distance and cost,” he said.

“We are moving at pace to have flights on sale so we encourage airports to work with us now on finalising our network.”

Bonza’s chief commercial officer Carly Povey, who took the reins on Monday 1 November, says part of her role will be establishing and maintaining airport partnerships.

Deciding the network is also amongst her top priorities.

In addition to holding senior roles at easyJet and Jetstar, Ms Povey was part of the start-up team at UK low-cost carrier Jet2.com and began her career at a UK regional airport.

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact low-cost carriers have on regional and local communities who can expect significant direct and indirect employment and economic benefits,” she said.

“We will also be changing lives for many by making it easier for families to reconnect with one another after what might have been years apart.

“I look forward to working with Australian airports on commercial partnerships for our launch network and schedule. Working to better connect the regions is so important and timely with the pent up demand to see more of our own backyard.

“I encourage airports to challenge themselves to provide the best possible deal to secure their own future.

“It will help us not only with our launch network decisions but, critically, with a projection of future growth potential and partners prepared to support us as we stimulate additional leisure travel demand.”

In parallel with airport discussions, Bonza’s leadership team continues to have conversations with state and territory governments to confirm the airline’s head office location which Jordan has confirmed will be in a regional centre.

This announcement is said to be “coming soon” and will lead to further job creation in regional Australia.

• * Newcastle Weekly contacted the Newcastle Airport on Wednesday afternoon for comment. No response has been received as yet.

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