Bonza grounds whole fleet pending discussions on voluntary administration (2024)

Bonza will ground its entire fleet until later this week pending discussions on whether the budget airline will be able to operate during its voluntary administration period.

ASIC documents show the low-cost carrier, which was founded in late 2021 and only began flying last year, is now in external administration.

Administrators Hall Chadwick said the entire fleet would be grounded up to and including Thursday this week, as key parties consider whether the company can continue operating during administration.

READ MORE: How Bonza flew into oblivion

Bonza grounds whole fleet pending discussions on voluntary administration (1)

Workers' futures at the company are also under consideration as Customers with bookings up to and including Thursday are advised not to travel to the airport.

"The discussions regarding ongoing trading are occurring over the forthcoming days and the administrators will be in a position to update all stakeholders as the matter progresses," Hall Chadwick said in a statement.

Customers can call Hall Chadwick's hotline on 03 8678 1600 for more information. The transport minister has also set up a hotline for passengers. It can be contacted at 1800 069 244 and is available only until 10pm today.

Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan this morning confirmed the airline had temporarily suspended services today amid discussions regarding the ongoing viability of the business.

"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 domestic aviation market," he said after flights were cancelled across the country.

The federal government called on both Virgin Australia and Qantas to help out stranded Bonza passengers after the budget airline confirmed it "temporarily suspended" services.

"I have spoken to Qantas and Virgin CEOs this morning and both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home."

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Bonza grounds whole fleet pending discussions on voluntary administration (2)

King said she expected Bonza to keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights.

Virgin had already reached out to passengers stranded "mid-journey", while Qantas offered to help travellers affected by Bonza's cancellations.

The two major airlines, as well as Qantas-owned Jetstar, are offering complimentary seats to those passengers.

Bonza's website appears to not be accepting bookings, with reports users are unable to select departure or arrival dates through the online booking tool.

Flights cancelled around the country

All flights departing from the Sunshine Coast scheduled to land in Gladstone and Rockhampton this morning were cancelled, along with some leaving from Melbourne Airport.

It comes just days after the airline announced it would scale back flights nationally.

One customer, Tracy Hilbert, was left stranded at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne after she was told her flight was cancelled as she waited at the gate.

"I've heard that all the planes today have been cancelled," she said.

Hilbert, who booked her flight to see her family after her father died, said she hadn't been given any warning.

"It's just really hard today because I should have been up there now and with my mum, my brother, and my other family," she told Today.

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Bonza grounds whole fleet pending discussions on voluntary administration (3)

Debate over future of Aussie travel

Vision from Tullamarine Airport this morning shows a Bonza aircraft that was scheduled to fly to Gladstone in Queensland being towed after it was cancelled.

The Australian Financial Review reported aircraft Bonza operates on a long-term lease had been seized.

Quentin Long from Australian Traveller told Today Bonza had been a fantastic idea that brought flight service to under-served regions.

"The business model is really innovative, which was, 'We're going to connect regional centres to regional centres'," he said.

"And the problem with that is you needed mass take-up, and there were not that many people in those areas to be able to take it up.

"So it was a really interesting, innovative but challenged business model from the start."

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Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner earlier said his organisation hadn't been able to contact Bonza for any confirmation about what was happening.

"With all these cancellations, and not just this morning, but, they have been happening for the last few weeks, the news doesn't look that good," he told Today.

"But we haven't heard anything official yet.

"It is one of the problems with the domestic aviation industry in Australia, where generally it's been thought two main domestic carriers is all that the market can stand.

"But hopefully that's not true."

9News understands that Shadow Minister for Transport Bridget McKenzie has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to save the budget airline.

Bonza pitched itself as a "low-cost, ultra-Aussie airline" when it launched into the Australian market on January 31, 2023.

Bonza grounds whole fleet pending discussions on voluntary administration (2024)

FAQs

Bonza grounds whole fleet pending discussions on voluntary administration? ›

Bonza will ground its entire fleet until later this week pending discussions on whether the budget airline will be able to operate during its voluntary administration period. ASIC documents show the low-cost carrier, which was founded in late 2021 and only began flying last year, is now in external administration.

Will I get money back from Bonza? ›

Bonza administrators tell customers no refunds for now, despite company's promise to reimburse cancelled flights. In short: Bonza customers have been told not to expect a refund any time soon.

What is happening with Bonza? ›

Bonza entered voluntary administration and appointed Hall Chadwick as its administrators on April 30 after its four aircraft were seized and all flights were grounded. The airline's boss Tim Jordan told staff he and 777 Partners had been “surprised” all four aircraft were subject to repossession proceedings.

Why is Bonza grounded? ›

Hopes have been shot down for Bonza after fresh fleet negotiations failed, leaving all flights cancelled and a majority of staff without work until at least May 14.

Who is funding Bonza? ›

Opposition Senator Bridget McKenzie said the government should outline how it would help Bonza workers who were out of a job, as well as the affected customers. She also called for an investigation into Bonza's financial backers 777 Partners, who also own the majority share of A-Leagues club Melbourne Victory.

Who is Bonza backed by? ›

Emails sent between the airline's Miami-headquartered private equity owner, 777 Partners, its financier A-Cap, and an aircraft lessor known as AIP Capital suggest the companies were co-ordinating decision-making about Bonza, a low-cost carrier which only began flying early last year.

How many aircraft does Bonza have? ›

Bonza Airline fleet details
AircraftCurrent fleet
ActiveParked
Boeing 737 NG / Max Boeing 737-MAX 84 4
Total4

How often does Bonza cancel flights? ›

Table 1: Total Industry On Time Performance for March 2024
Reporting AirlinesSectors ScheduledCancellations %
Bonza8523.5
Hinterland9590.8
Jetstar7,3351.5
Qantas - all QF designated services20,2383.8
9 more rows

Why did Bonza fail? ›

My take on the situation is that Bonza failed to attract customers with lower fares, extract sufficient value from selling food & beverages on flights to customers and invested in larger aircraft than required.

What plane does Bonza use? ›

The Bonza fleet

Bonza's fleet of Boeing 737-8 aircraft now connect hundreds of thousands of people to more regional Aussie destinations than ever before. Offering the quietest‚ most comfortable and fuel efficient aircraft in the domestic market.

Who owns Bonza Airlines in Australia? ›

777 owns or has stakes in several football teams around the world, including a minority stake in the A-League's Melbourne Victory, and has a sprawling collection of businesses, including Australian budget airline Bonza, which in late April suspended operations amid talks over the company's future.

Do airlines give money back? ›

The DOT rules lay out that passengers will be "entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered." DOT will also require airlines to give cash refunds if your bags are lost and not delivered within 12 hours.

How do you get your money back from customers? ›

Step 1: Handle Refund Requests Promptly

The customer is likely already upset about the situation. To diffuse the tension, you should respond in a timely manner. Even if you're unsure how to respond immediately, acknowledge the request for a refund immediately and let the customer know you'll have a solution soon.

How do I get my money back from a store? ›

If you think you're entitled to a refund, then in the first instance, you should go back to the store or contact the online retailer. Depending on what's wrong, you may be asked for proof or purchase, which could be the original till receipt, or a copy of the transaction on your bank or credit card statement.

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