Budget airline Bonza announces new flight routes between the Northern Territory and Queensland, Victoria

Budget airline Bonza has announced it will begin flying three routes in and out of the Northern Territory from the end of November, as it promises to bring more competition to an expensive market. Key points: The airline's arrival comes less than two weeks after Qantas cut flights to Alice Springs The NT government and Bonza say they hope it will spur competition in the region's airline market Flights will go from Darwin to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, and Alice Springs to Melbourne The airline will begin flights between Darwin and the Sunshine Coast and Darwin and the Gold Coast, and between Alice Springs and Melbourne, starting from late November. NT Tourism Minister Nicole Manison said the new routes would help "drive a bit of competition" among existing players in the NT aviation market and offer flyers cheaper fares. Less than two weeks ago, Qantas announced it would reduce flights from Alice Springs to Sydney and Melbourne — prompting a rebuke from Ms Manison towards former chief executive Alan Joyce. Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford welcomed the announcement of another airline servicing Alice Springs with direct routes and cheaper airfares to Melbourne.