A new Australian airline that promises to offer domestic flights up to 40 per cent cheaper than its competitors has revealed there is one huge catch.
Tim Jordan, the CEO of the low cost airline Bonza has revealed the carrier only has about two or three planes currently at its disposal.
The revelation comes after the airline boss pledged planes would take to Australian skies early next year, with tickets to go on sale in just a few months time.
The chief executive was asked pointblank how many planes he had by host Karl Stefanovic on the Today Show on Wednesday.
Tim Jordan, the CEO of the low cost airline Bonza (pictured) has revealed the carrier only has about two or three planes currently at its disposal despite promising flights early next year
'We start small like any business. It is property, you can't suddenly go here is 20 aircraft let's get on with it,' Mr Jordan replied.
'So we will be starting with two to three aircraft. Those aircraft are currently in North America. Brand new aircraft and they're heading our way in the first quarter of 2022.'
The CEO said subject to regulatory approval his Bonza planes would be taking off in the second quarter of 2022.
'So you're not exactly making Qantas nervous with the three aircraft just yet,' host Karl Stefanovic quipped.
'No and we shouldn't,' the airline boss replied with a laugh.
'This is about growing the market. This is about stimulating new leisure travel. This isn't about the business traveller.
'There is some wonderful airlines already in this country, this is not about stealing any market from anybody.
'This is about opening up travel choice across more of the country to more regional centres with more nonstop routes and more destinations.'
Australia is soon to get a brand new domestic airline called Bonza (pictured, a Bonza plane)
Almost half of the routes Bonza planes will operate are not currently available to travellers without a connection in a capital city (pictured, people in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast)
Almost half of the routes Bonza planes will operate are not currently available to travellers without an inconvenient connection in a capital city, the CEO said.
Mr Jordan said in instances where the route is already operated by another airline, Bonza will offer a low cost alternative for the first time in history.
'If you're going away for a three day weekend and you have to connect via an intermediate point that really does slow down your plans and eat into your travel budget,' he explained.
'So this is about going point-to-point, more routes, more destinations and it will generally save 30 to 40 per cent versus existing fare levels.'
Bonza, which is backed by a US investment firm and headed by ex-Virgin Blue executive Tim Jordan, is promising 'ultra low prices' to travel the country in 2022.
'Bonza's mission is to encourage more travel by providing more choices and ultra-low fares, particularly into leisure destinations where travel is now often limited to connections via major cities,' CEO and founder Mr Jordan said.
The airline will have a focus on regional communities with new domestic routes in the works (pictured, Bateman's Bay on the NSW South Coast)
Bonza's ambition is broad but it appears there will be a focus on regional communities, with new routes in the wings.
While the airline's network is still under wraps Bonza planes will seek to bypass major cities and take passengers directly to 'leisure destinations'.
Pictured: Bonza CEO Tim Jordan
Mr Jordan has more than 25 years of experience in the aviation industry and recently was managing director of FlyArystan, the first low-cost carrier in Central Asia.
The airline boss began his career with United Airlines before moving on to Virgin, Cebu Pacific in the Phillipines and most recently FlyArystan.
US investment firm 777 Partners is backing Bonza, which subject to regulatory approval expects to launch services in early 2022 with Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
'We see huge potential in the Australian market to deliver the benefits and options that an independent low fare airline brings,' 777 Partners managing partner Josh Wander said in a statement.
The Miami-based private investment firm also invests in the Canadian airline Flair, the only independent low-cost carrier in the country.
Bonza will sport white and purple livery on its aircraft and plans to base its headquarters in regional Australia, with the exact location yet to be revealed.
The affordable new airline will focus on domestic travel throughout Australia in early 2022
