Avalon flights axed as budget airline Bonza goes into administration

Bonza has gone into voluntary administration in a shock blow to travellers and a major hit to Avalon Aiport.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan.

Budget airline Bonza has gone bust in a big blow to Avalon Airport as shocked local families were left stranded by sudden flight cancellations when the carrier’s planes were repossessed out of the blue.

The airline had been flying from Avalon to Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, but flights from the Lara airport were cancelled on Tuesday.

Late on Tuesday it was revealed the airline had been placed into voluntary administration following the repossession of its fleet of Boeing 737 Max8s by leasing company AIP Capital.

Hall Chadwick has been appointed as administrators to the airline.

The early morning repossession appeared to take Bonza by surprise, with the crew of one aircraft already on-board in Melbourne when the direction came through that the plane was not to depart.

Even Bonza executives were caught out, and left scrambling to issue a public statement explaining the unfortunate turn of events.

Just after 8am, chief executive Tim Jordan apologised to customers and said they were working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward.

“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.”

While Avalon Airport confirmed flights were axed and apologised to affected customers, it refused to comment further.

Anglesea mother-of-three Jodie Menhenett, 47, was among many passengers blindsided by the news. She and her daughters had planned to travel to Queensland as part of their first family holiday.

Anglesea's Menhenett family, Scarlett, 17, Mum Jodie, Luella, 10 and Lily, 17 outside Avalon Airport after having their Bonza flights cancelled. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We’ve only just found out that our flights have been cancelled,” Ms Menhenett said, speaking from Avalon Airport.

“No confirmation, no nothing.

“I get emotional, this is my girls’ first trip.”

A tearful Ms Menhenett said the family had no help or information. With no phone numbers to call and no one replying to their live chat inquiries on the Bonza app, Ms Menhenett said she had come to Avalon in the hope the flights would still be going ahead.

She said she had trouble communicating with the airline for weeks, since it first cancelled her flight home from the holiday.

Bonza at Avalon.

The Geelong Advertiser last week revealed the airline was reducing flights on its Avalon to Gold Coast route.

Bonza started flying from Avalon last year with a route to the Sunshine Coast.

On Tuesday, Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said Qantas and Virgin stood ready to assist stranded passengers.

While those airlines don’t fly commercially from Avalon, Jetstar does.

Jetstar said: “We understand (Tuesday’s) news about Bonza will have a significant impact on many people’s travel plans.”

Bonza terminal at Avalon Airport showing the 2.10pm flight to the Sunshine Coast cancelled. Picture: Alison Wynd

“For Bonza customers who are due to travel (on Tuesday) or who are stuck away from home, Jetstar and Qantas will assist by providing flights at no cost where there are seats available,” the airline said.

Jetstar noted of Bonza’s 36 routes, there were only six overlapping routes with either Jetstar or QantasLink, including Avalon to Gold Coast.

“If there is another close alternative route that Jetstar or Qantas operates, customers who were booked to travel (on Tuesday) or are stuck away from home can also travel at no cost (e.g. Brisbane as an alternative to Gold Coast, or Melbourne as an alternative to Avalon),” the airline said.

The Bonza shock is the latest in a series of blows to Avalon.

AirAsia flights to Malaysia ceased amid the pandemic, and deals with Citilink (to Bali) and Vietjet (to Vietnam) also fell through.

The airport has not announced another international carrier despite ongoing efforts to secure one.

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Originally published as Avalon flights axed as budget airline Bonza goes into administration