Hundreds of Bonza passengers across Australia were left stranded on Tuesday morning after the airline abruptly canceled all flights. Passengers who arrived at airports in the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Avalon were greeted with the news that their flights had been canceled.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan confirmed the airline’s temporary suspension of services due to ongoing discussions regarding the company’s viability. “We apologize to our customers who have been impacted by this, and we are working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market,” Jordan said.
Administrator Hall Chadwick announced that the entire fleet would be grounded until Thursday while key parties considered the company’s ability to continue operating during administration. Travelers with flights booked up until Friday morning were advised not to travel to the airport.
Catherine King, Australia’s transportation minister, spoke with Bonza representatives, urging them to keep passengers fully informed and respect their consumer rights. “Our focus right now is to assist Australian passengers who are stranded at the end of school holidays,” King said.
The Australian federal government has established a hotline for passengers whose flights were canceled. Meanwhile, Australia’s main transport union is seeking an urgent meeting with Bonza’s leadership to discuss the impact of the sudden closure on workers. Qantas Group and Virgin Australia have offered assistance to stranded passengers.
