Budget airline Bonza has been cleared to fly in Australia with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority issuing it an air operator's licence.
The airline is now finalising its preparations to go on sale with its first wave of flights out of the airline's home base on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
The budget airline, backed by US investment firm 777 Partners, is expected to travel to 17 destinations across the country, 93 per cent of which are not served by any other airline.
"This is an historic moment for Australian aviation as we get ready to launch the first high capacity airline in more than 15 years, and the country's only independent low cost carrier," Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said.
"The excitement for what we are about to deliver is palpable and the timing couldn't be better. Demand for domestic travel is high and Aussies deserve for travel to be a basic right for many, not a luxury for the few.
"This has never been truer with today's cost of living challenges. With the approval from CASA, 2023 is set to be the year of seeing more of your own backyard for less."
Bonza will soon go on sale with its Sunshine Coast base followed by its Melbourne base.
Jordan urged Aussies to download the Fly Bonza app and sign up to be the first to know when its initial phase of flights will be up for grabs.
The airline's digital approach means the app will be the only place to book with the exception of registered local travel agents. A digital support centre will assist customers with queries or those who choose to get support with making their booking.
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"I'd like to thank our team of legends who have worked very hard to achieve today's milestone working alongside CASA who do incredibly important work regulating Australian aviation. Now, our focus turns to connecting communities and we hope to see many Aussies onboard soon," Jordan said.
Bonza first announced in October 2021 its plans to launch in Australia, with the aim of operating flights by mid-2022.
Those plans were delayed as the aviation authority assessed its application, progressively giving feedback until it was ticked off on Thursday.
