Bonza flight cancellations leaves families stranded on the Sunshine Coast

A stranded family has spoken out about Bonza’s handling of a mass flight cancellation, calling out the airline’s lack of communication as they are forced to fork out more than $2k to get home.

Bonza passengers Mareike Crawford and her family have been left grounded at Sunshine Coast Airport. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A family has expressed their outrage at a lack of communication from budget airline Bonza after a mass cancellation of flights left them stranded interstate.

Bonza passengers were blindsided by the temporary suspension of services on Tuesday morning as talks were held regarding the company’s viability and aircraft were repossessed.

One traveller and mum-of-two, Mareika Crawford, said she and her family were told their flight back to Avalon Airport, which was initially set to leave from the Gold Coast, was moved to the Sunshine Coast Airport before it was ultimately cancelled.

“We had nearly arrived at the Sunshine Coast Airport when we received a message saying the flight was cancelled and then to have more messages trickling through about what was happening on twitter (sic) and the news channels, not from the company directly was probably the hardest pill to swallow,” Ms Crawford said.

“It was just really disappointing.”

Mareike Crawford and her family have been left grounded at the Sunshine Coast Airport and will pay more than $2000 to leave. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Crawford said the family of four was forced to spend nearly four times the cost of the initial Bonza flights in order to get back into Victoria.

“We didn't receive any message about how we were going to get home, we just quickly panicked and purchased a return flight through Qantas to Tullamarine Airport, which for us that one flight cost $2,100, which is quite a lot of money,” Ms Crawford said.

Bonza has broken its silence amid speculation it could be placed into administration, as passengers are left grounded at Sunshine Coast Airport. Picture: patrick Woods.

“We then have to get our own transport from Tullamarine to Avalon, which will cost another $200.”

Bonza chief executive officer Tim Jordan said in a statement the cancellations had taken place as discussions were underway regarding the company’s ongoing viability and apologised to impacted travellers.

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

“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 domestic aviation market.”

A hotline for Bonza passengers needing help was established on Tuesday. The number is 1800 069 244.