Australia’s newest budget airline is axing several unpopular routes, and reducing the frequency of others, just six months after taking off in Queensland.

After enduring complaints about cancelled flights, Sunshine Coast-based Bonza said it was slashing five regional routes that were not attracting passengers.

They are Sunshine Coast to Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast to Port Macquarie, Sunshine Coast to Tamworth, Cairns to Mackay and Toowoomba Wellcamp to Whitsunday Coast.

“Twenty-two routes remain and we’re reducing some routes by one flight per week,” Chief commercial officer Carly Povey said on Thursday.

“Three of the many strong-performing routes, namely Sunshine Coast to Albury and Melbourne (Avalon) plus Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Port Macquarie, will welcome a new service each week.”

The changes take effect on August 1. People who have booked tickets on the axed routes will be contacted and offered a full refund or alternative flights.

Low-cost carrier Bonza launched on the Sunshine Coast in January, with CEO Tim Jordan promising it would “change the aviation environment for the better – for the many, not just the few”.

Since then, however, Ms Povey conceded “not everyone has had a good experience”.

“We need to stare directly into why that is — specifically when we cancel or delay flights,” she said.

“Airlines the world over often tweak their schedules and, for Bonza, this will be the first time we make changes to frequency and routes so we wanted to be really transparent around the changes and why we feel they are really important to deliver on customer commitment.”

Ms Povey said cutting back on flights would build spare capacity within the airline’s fleet of four aircraft “so we have a buffer when things don’t go to plan”.

“Secondly, by focusing on routes that are performing very well, we’re also taking decisive action by going where the demand is and, in turn, setting Bonza up for the long haul – because competition in the airline industry is a good thing and the demand for Bonza is clear.”

She foreshadowed an airfare sale for the late October to April 2024 schedule.

“We’re also working to establish a third base and with that will come new job opportunities and new routes to existing and new destination,” she said.