Bundaberg Bonza customers ‘anxious’ over lack of clarity over future

Bonza customers with thousands of dollars worth of flights on the hook are feeling stressed and anxious in the light of news of the airline’s imminent apparent collapse.

Bonza customers with thousands of dollars worth of Bonza tickets on the hook are feeling stressed and anxious in the light of news of the airline’s imminent collapse.

News of low-cost carrier Bonza’s impending collapse has thrown Bundaberg travellers’ plans into disarray and left them feeling stressed and anxious about what steps they need to salvage their holiday.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said the airline would be temporarily suspending services for that day after receiving an aircraft repossession notice from liquidators.

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The opening of the Bundaberg route to Melbourne in May 2023 was greeted with great fanfare by locals and then-Mayor Jack Dempsey.

“Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today (Tuesday April 30) as discussions are underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business,” Mr Jordan said.

“We apologise to 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 domestic aviation market.”

But passengers with tickets for future flights have been left confused and anxious over the lack of clarity on whether their tickets will be honoured.

Janet Francois (left) said she was feeling stressed and anxious about the travel plans she has made to Melbourne and India with her husband Jacques (right).

Bundaberg traveller Janet Francois said she was feeling stressed and anxious about whether she should book flights with another carrier for a trip to Melbourne planned to depart on Wednesday, May 1.

The return tickets for Ms Francois, 67, and her husband Jacques, 73, cost $667.56, with added anxiety coming from the need to make a connecting flight to India which departs the following weekend.

“I’m feeling a bit anxious,” Ms Francois said.

“We were to fly to Melbourne tomorrow as we have a flight to India booked from Melbourne.

“We luckily have time to organise a plan B as our flight to India is not until the weekend.

“But, we still have no idea if tomorrow’s flight is also cancelled or if it’s only flights today.

“That’s the anxious part, as I don’t know whether to book new flights or not.

“Then there’s the cost involved. I know this is all sudden and unavoidable, but its very stressful.”

The Francois' are also concerned about flights they have booked to go to Melbourne in August for the wedding of their daughter Laura Mason and her fiancee John Bainton.

Also in jeopardy are flights costing $450.87 Ms Francois and her husband have booked, again to Melbourne, in order to attend their daughter’s wedding in August.

“Guess we have lost that too,” Ms Francois said.

“We are both retired (so it’s) not a cost we can really afford.”

The opening of the Bundaberg route to Melbourne in May 2023, with a Gold Coast route added to the airline’s offering announced in August, was greeted with great fanfare by locals and then-mayor Jack Dempsey.

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“It’s a great result for locals to have increased travel options to enjoy top-flight sports and cultural experiences and visit loved ones, while our tourism industry will have access to a massive new market,” Mr Dempsey said at the time.

Bundaberg Regional Council and Bundaberg Tourism have been contacted for comment.