Toowoomba residents’ airfares from Wellcamp Airport in doubt as Bonza goes into voluntary administration

Bonza’s announcement it was going into voluntary administration could spell big trouble for Toowoomba residents who have already put money down for holidays this year. Here’s what we know:

Toowoomba residents have had their holiday plans thrown into disarrayafter low-cost carrier Bonza went into voluntary administration on Tuesday, leaving Wellcamp passengers stranded.

The upstart airline announced a “temporary suspension of services” on Tuesday morning, with reports its four planes had been repossessed by its lessor, AIP Capital.

In a statement, chief executive Tim Jordan apologised to customers, saying the company was hoping to have the matter resolved as quickly as possible.

“Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today (Tuesday April 30) as discussions are underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business,” he 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.”

It was announced on Tuesday afternoon the brand had been placed into voluntary administration, with Hall Chadwick were appointed as administrators to the airline.

The announcement could signal the end of the carrier’s 15-month career in the skies and comes just weeks after it revealed it had serviced 50,000 customers on Toowoomba flights within its first year.

News of potential cancellations has sparked an outcry among Toowoomba readers, who said they were unsure if they would secure refunds.

Bonza CEO Tim Jordan (centre) with members of the cabin crew at the first flight by the carrier from Melbourne to Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in 2023.

“Well guess we can kiss our return flights to Launceston goodbye and our money — so very disappointed, so furious this can happen,” one woman said.

“Our son was flying up from Melbourne this Saturday for our birthdays. So disappointed,” another added.

Southern Queensland Country Tourism chief executive Peter Homan said he was “gutted” to hear of Bonza’s troubles, arguing it was a blow to future opportunities.

“The model works well for tourism because it makes it affordable and opens up destinations (so) it’s a shame,” he said.

“The numbers from one year with Bonza is the best Wellcamp has had for passengers and it really opened us up to the international market opportunities through Melbourne and Townsville.

“We’re gutted, because it’s just bad for tourism — it’s only a fraction of the numbers of tourists that come here, but it’s the opportunities lost.”

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King confirmed she had spoken to the chief executive of Qantas and Virgin and both airlines stood “ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home” amid the grounding of budget carrier Bonza.

“My Department has reached out to Bonza and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights,” she said.

“My Department is in the process of establishing a hotline for stranded passengers and we will get that number out to media as quickly as we can.”

It was later confirmed that hotline for Bonza passengers needing help was 1800 069 244.

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport general manager Kellie Banditt was contacted for comment.