Australia’s newest airline, Bonza, has cancelled its entire schedule due to financial woes, leaving thousands of passengers across the country without flights.
“We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian aviation market,” Bonza’s announcement said.
Administrators appointed
The statement from Tim Jordan, Bonza CEO, on Tuesday 30 April initially seemed to leave room for some hope for the budget carrier, launched only last year. The airline had “temporarily suspended services”, Jordan said, amid “discussions […] regarding the ongoing viability of the business.”
However, local media are reporting that Bonza’s fleet of eight Boeing 737 Maxes have been repossessed by creditors and the BBC has reported a filing with Australia’s corporate regulator that reveals the appointment of Hall Chadwick as voluntary administrators for the airline’s operating and holding company.
In addition, Australia’s main transport union is seeking an urgent meeting with the airline’s board to discuss how the sudden closure will impact workers. “Bonza must ensure staff are prioritised and informed as this process plays out,” Michael Kaine, national secretary of the transport workers union told The Guardian.
“Here for Allstralia” no more
Bonza, whose catchphrase was “Here for Allstralia” made a unique selling point of its 36 routes to less-served destinations, such as Launceston in Tasmania and Gladstone in Queensland, but struggled to secure prime landing spots in Sydney and low numbers of customers meant some routes were cut back.
Now, with all routes cancelled, passengers trying to return to their local airports are faced with the task of finding another airline with a service that will get them home.
They are the focus for Catherine King, Australia’s transport minister who has vowed “to assist Australian passengers who are stranded at the end of school holidays,” she told reporters on Tuesday, adding that the government had “made it very clear to Bonza that our expectations are that they inform passengers about what their options are, what changes are being made, and that they respect their consumer rights.”
Qantas and Virgin offer assistance
Qantas and Virgin airlines, who compose 95% of Australia’s aviation sector, have offered to step up. The country’s largest airline, Qantas, only serves six of the Bonza routes, but has set up a hotline and offered stranded Bonza passengers free tickets on Qantas or Jetstar flights, according to availability.
Virgin Australia meanwhile has announced on X an offer to “support any passengers stranded mid-journey by offering complimentary seats on Virgin Australia-operated flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.”
