Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes

Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Bonza’s days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.

    Passengers were this morning left stranded at airports in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Avalon as the axe dropped on the first flights.

    Flights to Launceston, Proserpine, Newcastle and Rockhampton were impacted and only nine flights were listed to go ahead as scheduled on various aviation sites this morning.

    CEO Tim Jordan released a statement this morning.

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

    Virgin Australia posted on X this morning to offer support to impacted travellers.

    Rumours swirl about repossessed planes

    The Financial Review reported this morning on an aviation source who has suggested that creditors have repossessed Bonza’s fleet of Boeing 737-MAX 8 planes.

    The report also states that the owners of Bonza, Miami-based 777 Partners will continue to ‘bankroll’ the embattled airline despite the suggestion of its fleet changing ownership.

    Travel Weekly has reached out to both Bonza and 777 Partners for comment.

    Bonzas’s recent response says “Jobs are not at risk”

    Less than a fortnight ago, we received a snappy response from Bonza surrounding an article that we featured which discussed the future of the airline.

    Key takeaways were that Bonza “is not showing signs of stress and is not restructuring” and that “jobs are not at risk”.

    After today’s news, the future of Bonza remains to be seen.

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