Bonza passengers will be grounded for almost another week as the budget airline’s administrators talk with the lessor of its fleet.
The revelation comes as the region’s top tourism body and the local council shared their views on the developments surrounding the Sunshine Coast-based carrier.
Administrators Hall Chadwick confirmed on Thursday there would be no flights until at least Wednesday – five more days than previously expected.
The firm would continue to talk with the lessor of Bonza’s fleet and other parties about the “resumption of operations” into next week, a spokesman said.
“Customers with bookings during this period are advised not to travel to the airport,” the Hall Chadwick spokesman said.
“Customers scheduled to travel during this time are requested to make alternative arrangements with other airline carriers.”
Almost 2600 passengers left stranded after the budget airline suddenly grounded flights on Tuesday have reached out for help.
The government’s hotline received almost 1500 calls on Tuesday and that increased to almost 2600 by Thursday morning.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said people continued to reach out for help.
Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offered free flights for stranded passengers where available, however AAP spoke to multiple customers who spent hundreds of dollars to secure flights home.
The Transport Workers Union said it was in talks about the future of 150 Bonza staff with other players in the industry.
Meanwhile, the boss of the Sunshine Coast’s chief tourism body has expressed his concern about what Bonza’s uncertain future may mean for the local tourism industry.
Matt Stoeckel, chief executive officer of Visit Sunshine Coast, said Bonza had helped boost tourism in the region since it took to the skies last year.
“This is a real blow for the Sunshine Coast tourism industry as Bonza has contributed strongly to the region’s tourism growth since they began flying to Sunshine Coast Airport at the start of 2023,” he said.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said it was disappointing that Bonza had gone into voluntary administration.
“Our region has benefited significantly from Bonza Airlines being located here and their presence, along with the other major airlines, helped achieve a record number of interstate visitors last year,” they said.
“We sympathise with the members of our community whose travel plans have been disrupted, Bonza employees and local businesses who have supported the operations.”
The spokesperson said the council encouraged Bonza and the appointed administrators to work through the required processes as quickly as possible to provide certainty to the community.
The Sunshine Coast-based company was unveiled in October 2021 and its first flight took off in January 2023.
It originally flew 27 routes to 17 destinations but started cutting services during its first six months.
Bonza has flown to a host of regional destinations including Albury, Mildura, Mount Isa, Tamworth and Port Macquarie.
Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
