The first plane load of passengers on budget airline Bonza's new service from Newcastle to the Whitsundays has landed at Proserpine.
The 116 passengers on board arrived in 34-degree temperatures on a steamy day at Whitsunday Coast Airport, marking the next step in Bonza's rollout of inter-regional domestic air routes.
The McLeod family from the Central Coast were among the first travellers to touch down at the tropical tourist destination, which includes popular attractions such as Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Whitehaven Beach.
Mandy McLeod said the family, including husband Wayne, daughter Amy and grandson Rafael, would spend three days in the mainland town of Airlie Beach before flying back on Sunday.
Ms McLeod, from Gorokan, said Newcastle Airport was far more convenient for her than driving to Sydney Airport.
"It's only an hour and there's no traffic," she said.
"The three-day turnaround is great, too."
Whitsunday councillor Jan Clifford said the new flights to Newcastle were the "cherry on the cake" for the local tourism industry.
"I think we have a lot to offer each other," she said.
"It's really pleasant to see there's about 155 people flying out again on this inaugural Whitsundays to Newcastle flight."
Newcastle businessman Jeff Aquilina, who owns a company which manages a string of hotels in and around Airlie Beach, said he was confident the new cut-price Bonza service would succeed.
"It's a huge catchment in Newcastle and the Hunter," he said.
"I think what Bonza brings to the market is people who potentially weren't going to go away, the Whitsundays might not be on their shopping list because it's a bit difficult to get to from Newcastle, whereas this opens up the market to people.
"It's a direct flight and it's very good value.
"I think that's what Bonza's place in the market initially will be. People will use the service because they weren't typically going but it will inspire them to."
Mr Aquilina, who travels regularly to Airlie Beach for work, said he would save "hours" of travelling time.
Bonza launched a service from Newcastle to the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday.
The company sells tickets primarily through its mobile app, rather than via travel websites.
The airline's founder, Tim Jordan, told the Newcastle Herald this week that its $79 one-way fares to the Whitsundays and $59 base fare to the Sunshine Coast were not introductory offers but reflected Bonza's regular pricing structure.
Bonza flies to the Whitsundays twice a week and to the Sunshine Coast four times a week.
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