Weekend work to get Bonza back in air as rumours of mystery buyer heat up

Administrators for the stricken Bonza airline say they are working to secure enough funding to restart flights, with rumours still swirling about a potential buyer.

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Administrators for the stricken Bonza airline say they are working to secure enough funding to restart flights.

With the fleet grounded since Tuesday after a repossession order from the aircraft’s owners, all Bonza flights have been suspended until at least Wednesday.

However, in a statement released on Friday night, a spokesperson for administrators Hall Chadwick said they remained hopeful of resuming operations.

“The administrators are still working with a number of key stakeholders to provide funding in order to resume flight operations and will continue to do so over the weekend,” the statement said.

Rumours of a mystery potential buyer have been swirling for days and the arrival of a new injection of funds could be enough to get planes back in the air.

While the statement may provide a glimmer of hope for the besieged budget carrier, the Bonza workforce still faces uncertainty with Hall Chadwick confirming 302 of the total workforce of 323 staff had been stood down “up to and including” May 7.

A grounded Bonza plane at Sunshine Coast airport on Tuesday morning. Picture: Lachie Millard

The administrators held a virtual meeting of the employees on Thursday night to inform staff of their ‘stand down’

An employee inquiry line has been established and Hall Chadwick “are assisting employees with any queries they have”.

“We have also been in discussions with Government organisations and other key

bodies in regards to assistance for employees,” the statement said.

“These discussions are ongoing.

The administrators are continuing their efforts to find the best possible solution for all stakeholders.

“Whilst these efforts are in progress, the release of commercially-sensitive information and material that is subject to ongoing investigations cannot be made public at this time.

“The administrators will investigate the affairs of the Company and report the results of those investigations to creditors.”