Bonza enters administration as flights are cancelled across the country amid airline scaling back routes

As passengers scramble to find alternative flights, major news has emerged about the airline’s future.

Budget airline Bonza has entered voluntary administration, leaving travellers stranded across the country.

The airline had already slashed flights across the country with the carrier’s CEO in discussions around the “viability” of the business.

As of Tuesday morning, multiple flights operated by the airline leaving from major airports across the country have been cancelled.

Some of the flights that have been canned include those departing from the Sunshine Coast scheduled to land in Gladstone and Rockhampton. Several that were due to leave from Melbourne airport have also been cancelled.

Hall Chadwick, an accountancy and business advisory firm, has been appointed as administrator.

The company explained to news.com.au that all flights are grounded pending discussions, and customers with bookings from now until May 2 are being told not to go to the airport.

In a statement from the airline’s CEO Tim Jordan, services will be “temporarily suspended” while discussions surrounding the “viability of the business” take place.

“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 on Tuesday.

There's mass cancellations across the Bonza network.

The first Bonza flight from Melbourne lands at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport on April 17, 2023.

In a further statement sent to news.com.au, Mr Burton apologised to customers impacted by the airline’s sudden wave of cancellations.

“We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we are working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian aviation market.”

Following the disruption, rival airlines Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar all stepped in to offer assistance for those in need.

Virgin Australia announced on Tuesday morning that they would assist any passengers in need of a seat or who have been left stranded by the Bonza cancellations.

“We are aware of the temporary suspension of Bonza flights,” the airline posted on X.

“We will immediately support any passengers stranded mid-journey by offering complimentary seats on Virgin Australia-operated flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have stepped in to assist displaced Bonza customers.

“For those Bonza guests at an airport, please see a Virgin Australia customer service representative or call our Guest Contact Centre.”

Qantas and Jetstar offered a similar service, providing flights for the “significant impact” the cancellations have had on passengers.

“For Bonza customers who are due to travel today or who are stuck away from home, Jetstar and Qantas will assist by providing flights at no cost where there are seats available,” the statement read.

However of Bonza’s 36 routes, there are only six overlapping routes with either Jetstar or QantasLink — including Melbourne to the Gold Coast, Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, Avalon to the Gold Coast, Gold Coast to Cairns, Melbourne to Mildura and Melbourne to Alice Springs.

In additional, the three rival airlines extended their thoughts to Bonza aviation colleagues and their families who will “feel the impact of today’s news”.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all offered recruitment opportunity discussions for those hoping to stay in the aviation field.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan says discussions around the ‘viability’ of the airline are underway. Photo: News Corp Australia

Bonza launched in January last year, after more than a year of planning and spruiking quirky aircraft names and cabin crew uniforms.

The airline, which focused on flights to regional destinations including Cairns, Gladstone and Albury, also flies to Melbourne. However, Sydney and Brisbane are off the airline’s route path.

Earlier this month, Bonza announced they would be reducing the frequency of flights to some of its most popular routes, including Gold Coast to Cairns from five weekly roundtrips to three, Gold Coast to Townsville down from five weekly roundtrips to three and Gold Coast to Melbourne Tullamarine will be reduced from four weekly roundtrips to one as of May 1.

There are reports that cabin crew have been told the airline is “finished”. Picture: Garry Wilkinson

In an interview with the ABC,a man from the Sunshine Coast, whose wife works for the airline, claimed 20 cabin crew were called into a meeting early on Tuesday and told the airline had “finished”.

“She went to work this morning, as per usual, they just went in — there were two crews there — they were just basically told that Bonza has finished,” he told the ABC.

“They’ve been told that they’re not flying until further notice.

“They’ve all been told that the bottom line is that Bonza will no longer be flying.

“They’re pretty devastated. It’s their job. She’s been in it from day one. It’s a bit of a blow for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast.”

The administrators have established a hotline for customers for any queries they may have on 03 8678 1600.

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Originally published as Bonza enters administration as flights are cancelled across the country amid airline scaling back routes