Bonza airlines cancels four flights to and from North Queensland capital Townsville

Battling boutique carrier Bonza has blamed “unforeseen illness” on the disruptive cancellation of four flights to or from Townsville on Monday. See what passengers were offered.

The inaugural Gold Coast to Townsville flight. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Battling boutique carrier Bonza has blamed “unforeseen illness” on the disruptive cancellation of four flights to or from Townsville on Monday.

“Bonza apologises for the inconvenience caused, we know how much a cancellation can impact customers and that’s why it only happens as an absolute last resort,” airline CEO Tim Jordan said.

“For context, some of our team experienced unforeseen illness this morning and the knock on impacts of that meant that regretfully we cancelled flights to and from Townsville today.”

The flights were to Townsville from the Sunshine Coast and Rockhamption respectively, as well as flights from the North Queensland capital to Rockhampton and Mackay.

He said all other flights were operating as planned.

The cancellations of some Bonza services created a backlash on social media, but also support for the airline.

Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza, arriving on Bonza's inaugural Gold Coast to Townsville flight. Picture: Shae Beplate.

One repeat customer who has never had an issue with Bonza on at least eight previous flights, said there were a number of angry customers left in the lurch on the Sunshine Coast.

That included one foreign couple who had booked a non-refundable three-day holiday on Magnetic Island that they would miss out on, she said.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was another woman who needed to get to Townsville for an emergency family situation who was also left stranded.

She also criticised Bonza’s lack of clear communication of why the flight had been cancelled mysteriously at the last moment.

“It was really difficult, because everyone was trying to get info and I think that is what frustrated me the most was not the fact that the flight was cancelled – because I’d must prefer a flight to be cancelled than for it to fall out of the sky – but it was the lack of communication afterwards.”

Mr Jordan, who founded the little airline in late 2021, apologised for the inconvenience caused.

“We know how much a cancellation can impact customers’ travel plans and that’s why it only happens as an absolute last resort.”

He said that if a flight was cancelled, the carrier would “endeavour to provide an alternative flight and cover the associated costs of waiting for that flight”.

“However, if we are unable to re-book the customer on an alternative flight we will provide a full refund.”

Bonza flies from Townsville to four destinations across Townsville, namely Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp and the recently introduced Gold Coast service.

Normal services will resume on Tuesday.

Originally published as Bonza airlines cancels four flights to and from North Queensland capital Townsville