The budget airline, backed by US investment firm 777 Partners, has started recruiting for 200 pilot and cabin crew workers at its Sunshine Coast and Melbourne bases.

Cabin crew should ideally have at least 12 months' experience, but those without can still apply.

Bonza will mostly fly to regional towns rather than compete with Jetstar, Rex and Virgin on capital city routes.

Former Virgin Blue executive Tim Jordan, who is leading the venture, said would-be workers lodged more than 5500 expressions of interest after Bonza was announced last year.

"It's hard not to have witnessed the devastating impact of the pandemic on many talented pilots and cabin crew," he said.

"It's our hope we can provide roles and development opportunities to some of those impacted."

The incumbent carriers slashed thousands of workers as the coronavirus prevented people around the world flying.

More than 8500 Qantas workers were cut or took redundancies.

Those who remained had a two-year wage freeze as part of business efforts to save money.

Virgin cut a third of its workers after investment group Bain Capital saved the airline from voluntary administration.

A shortage of available workers across Australia is helping applicants negotiate better deals with prospective employers. The unemployment rate was four per cent for February.

Bonza will offer flights between Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast.

The airline will begin flying with five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which seat 138 to 204 people each.

Australian Associated Press