Thousands stranded as airline cancels all flights
By Hannah Ritchie & Simon Atkinson
Australia’s newest budget airline has gone into voluntary administration, after abruptly cancelling all of its flights on Tuesday.
Bonza’s financial woes have left thousands of passengers stranded around the country.
Operating since last year, the carrier had been the first to launch in Australia since 2007.
Aviation remains one of the nation’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.
The company has appointed Hall Chadwick as voluntary administrators 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.
