Alliance Airlines is ready to launch into the Port Macquarie market.

July 17 marks the start of Alliance Airlines’ flights linking Port Macquarie and Brisbane.

Alliance Airlines replaces Virgin Australia on the route in a codeshare deal with Virgin Australia.

There will be a seamless transition for passengers.

Bookings can be made through the Virgin Australia website and passengers can earn Velocity points.

Alliance Airlines chief executive officer Lee Schofield said the airline was excited to be providing Port Macquarie with the jet service to Brisbane and was very encouraged by the enthusiastic support it had received from the city and business community.

“I think the overall sentiment has been positive,” Mr Schofield said.

“The challenge is to translate that positive sentiment into travelling people.”

Mr Schofield said the airline’s strength was its people.

“I think we have excellent staff and I think that will shine through naturally,” he said.

Mr Schofield said the Port Macquarie-Brisbane route was an expansion for the airline, but to a degree, it was a natural step.

“I think the time is right,” he said.

The airline has flown throughout regional Queensland since 2002 and now flies into all Australian states and territories.

“We have become a participating community member in all cities that we fly into and over the coming months we will demonstrate this to Port Macquarie,” he said.

Mr Schofield said the airline would have direct and genuine engagement with the community.

Alliance Airlines has 31 aircraft.

Mr Schofield said on-time performance and honouring the flight schedule was a fundamental part of the business.

Alliance Airlines will give a free return flight to every passenger who books and travels on the airline’s first Port Macquarie to Brisbane service on July 17.

 Alliance Airlines offers a jet service with 80-seat Fokker 70 aircraft. The airline offers one class on board.