Aussies reject calls for Albanese government to save budget airline Bonza

Aussies have vented their frustration over budget airline Bonza, amid concerns its future is on the line. Have your say.

Disgruntled passengers believe it shouldn’t be left up to the Albanese government to save budget airline Bonza, amid concerns its future is in limbo.

The low-cost carrier’s parent company has called in advisers to check the finances, despite having only been in Australian skies for just 15 months.

Hundreds of News Corp readers, including passengers who have travelled on Bonza, shared their experience with the carrier and said they weren’t surprised that the airline’s future was in jeopardy.

“After my experience with Bonza, no staff on site, no bags returned for hours, the trouble runs deeper than it seems,” one said.

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

Another said: “Their initial routes had disaster written all over them, whoever picked them clearly had zero idea of the Australian aviation market. I said when they started them routes, the only way they will survive is with very deep pockets.”

“Got hold of some cheap planes during Covid and started flying secondary routes. Despite the name, not even Australian owned. Please no government bailout,” another agreed.

And despite calls by opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie urging the Albanese government to do everything it can to save the budget airline’s Bonza future, many Aussies didn’t feel the same.

“Don’t waste more money throwing a foreign business a lifeline, if they fail, they fail. Save Australian companies first,” one said.

Another said: “Australia can’t accommodate more airlines. Our population is too small. Bonza like those that have tried and failed will soon disappear.”

However, some passengers did note their positive experience with the carrier.

“I flew Bonza from Townsville to Sunny Coast recently and the flight and service was brilliant,” a reader said.

Another agreed: “Loved my flights with Bonza. Give them a go and you’ll fly them again.”

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie at a parliamentary hearing in Brisbane this week. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

Backers of Bonza’s US owners have called in heavyweight advisory firm KordaMentha to run the ruler over the finances of the airline, which runs cheap flights between Australian holiday destinations.

The move comes amid turmoil at Bonza’s Miami-based owner, 777 Partners, which also owns insurance companies, media outlets and sports teams including the Melbourne Victory football club.

Senator McKenzie said the government should bring in reforms designed to cut airfares, improve services and drive competition between airlines that were recommended by a parliamentary inquiry last year.

Bonza Airline’s future is in jeopardy.

“Bonza has breathed new life into the sector, with innovative, affordable offerings between regional capitals and I hope that the Albanese Government does all that it can to ensure they succeed,” she said.

“It is clear that the more airlines operating in the Australian domestic market the more choice for Australian travellers and the more affordable the ticket price.

“The Albanese Labor Government should be ensuring that policy settings are right to increase competition in Australia’s aviation sector and looking at ways to ensure start-ups like Bonza don’t get crushed by the legacy carriers.”

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan. Picture: Shae Beplate

The Transport Workers Union’s acting national assistant secretary, Emily McMillan, said action was needed to rebuild the damaged aviation sector.

“Whatever the issues behind the scenes at Bonza, it’s clear our aviation industry is a hostile market for any new entrant, marked by aggressive competition and a lack of regulated standards,” she said.

“Record profits have returned to the industry, but travellers are still slugged with costly airfares and lacklustre service standards following the decimation of the workforce and wages over the last 15 years.”

Sources said KordaMentha partner Sebastian Hams, who leads the firm’s aviation practice, was this week appointed by an entity within the 777 group to look into Bonza’s financial state and viability.

Bonza crew in Townsville. Picture: Supplied

In Miami, 777 is itself under heavy pressure after state regulators in the US ordered one of its key funders, insurance company A-Cap, to slash its investment in the group by $US1.8bn ($2.8bn).

Federal US authorities are also reported to be investigating whether 777 has broken anti-money laundering laws.

In addition, 777 has been hit by a blizzard of lawsuits in the USA over allegations including unpaid loans, executive pay and breach of contract.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan has been contacted for comment.

A Bonza spokesperson said: “Neither Bonza nor our investor 777 Partners have appointed KordaMentha as financial advisers or in any other capacity.”

Originally published as Aussies reject calls for Albanese government to save budget airline Bonza