Thousands stranded as airline cancels all flights
Australia’s newest budget airline – Bonza – has gone into voluntary administration, after cancelling all of its flights on Tuesday.
The airline’s financial difficulties have left thousands of passengers stranded around the country.
Bonza began operating last year, and marked the first carrier to launch in Australia since 2007.
Aviation remains one of the country’s most concentrated industries, dominated by Qantas and Virgin Australia.
“We apologise to our 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 aviation market,” Bonza said in a statement.
“I thought it’s an Australian airline, and we’d be better off supporting a small company, but it turns out no”
Bonza has appointed Hall Chadwick as voluntary administrator for its operating and holding company, according to documents filed with Australia’s corporate regulator.
Bonza’s eight planes – a Boeing 737 Max fleet – were repossessed by creditors on Tuesday, according to local media. The airline has not confirmed the claim.
Passenger Mel Watkins, who was due to fly to Launceston for a family holiday, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that she was “absolutely shattered” by news her flight had been axed.
“I thought it’s an Australian airline, and we’d be better off supporting a small company, but it turns out no,” she said.