Bonza CEO Tim Jordan speaks to staff as airline enters voluntary administration

A sudden late-night meeting with hundreds of staff members has ended with six tragic words from the airline’s devastated CEO.

EXCLUSIVE

The CEO of embattled airline Bonza has given a heartfelt update on the status of the carrier, just hours after it entered voluntary administration.

Tim Jordan, who has been the face at the helm of the airline since it took to the skies 15 months ago, admitted the moment the administrators had been appointed was a “shocking day” and “quite unexpected” for all.

Speaking to staff in a private online event on Tuesday evening, a sombre Mr Jordan said the decision for the airline to enter administration came out of nowhere.

“Today is not a good day for any of us,” Mr Jordan said.

“We had a board meeting at 11am. Before the board meeting we were able to push out comms as we normally would.”

Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza, had a 7pm with staff on Tuesday. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Staff from the airline told news.com.au Bonza didn’t tell them the company was entering voluntary administration, they found out via media reports.

Mr Jordan explained that the lag in updates was due to appointing administrator Hall Chadwick, and that process resulted in additional communication processes.

“This has been a shocking day,” he said to a silent online meeting room.

“A horrible day for all of us … and quite unexpected.”

Prior to the all-staff Town Hall on Tuesday evening, employees had revealed to news.com.au that a 3am memo was shared by Mr Jordan on Tuesday, just hours before mass flight cancellations swept the country that morning.

Grounded Bonza planes at Sunshine Coast airport on Tuesday morning. Picture Lachie Millard

The airline was forced to cancel multiple flights across both Queensland and Melbourne, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

There are fear that Bonza will not make a comeback. Picture Lachie Millard

Prior to Tuesday’s public downfall, there had been mounting speculation surrounding the airline’s financial position and possible repossession of leased aircraft.

Transport Minister Catherine King says it is unlikely budget airline Bonza will make a financial comeback from this, and shot down hopes of a government bailout for the company.

“The administrators, we have been speaking to them overnight, they’re trying to get the airline back up and running. I think they have got to look at the books a fair bit. It’s unlikely that will happen,” Ms King told ABC on Wednesday.

According to reports, it is understood that Bonza’s financial backer, Miami-based firm 777 Partners, have called restructuring specialists KordaMentha for financial advice about its ongoing operations in Australia.

Bonza has entered voluntary administration. Picture: patrick Woods.

While the downfall, according to Mr Jordan, was “unexpected” — cabin crew members claim the writing has been on the wall for some time now, with staff cost-cutting measures and “bandaid” solutions present for months.

Speaking to news.com.au, a Queensland-based cabin crew member — who asked to remain anonymous — admitted that “something has been going on” for a while and that the airline had been “tightening the strings” more and more.

“What’s become evident is that they are not feeding staff with crew meals or paid breaks anymore,” the staff member said.

“There is this ongoing feeling of tightening the strings … we are now limited to one bottle of water each, and no green tea.

“These kind of things are happening all the time.”

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