Bonza workers have been given hope by Australia’s major airlines after their employer fell into voluntary administration.
The future of about 150 staff at the regional airline hung in the balance after mass flights were first cancelled on Tuesday morning.
Bonza’s fleet will be grounded until Friday after travellers were left stranded in airports across Australia.
Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said it was in talks about workers’ options with other industry players.
“Should it be unable to be rescued, workers need to be paid out their entitlements and other jobs opportunities sought,” he said.
“We have discussed opportunities with Virgin Australia which has committed to bringing Bonza staff to the front of the queue.”
Related story: Bonza ‘unlikely’ to resume flights: transport minister
Virgin Australia has offered to prioritise roles for those who have worked at Bonza.
“We will do what we can to support Bonza’s employees by prioritising them for any current and future roles at Virgin Australia, and encourage them to contact our careers team,” a statement read.
Qantas encouraged staff from Bonza to get in touch for potential employment options.
“If Bonza employees would like to discuss recruitment opportunities within Jetstar and Qantas, particularly in specialised fields which are unique to aviation, we’ve set up a dedicated page on the Jetstar careers website,” the airline said in a statement.
Mr Kaine said a sale of the airline or more regulatory oversight could provide a different era for the aviation industry.
“These difficult events are going to keep happening unless we have a stabiliser for the industry,” he said.
“We need a safe and secure skies commission to provide regulatory oversight and standards to see aviation through the boom-and-bust cycles, to ensure fair competition, and to return quality jobs and services to our essential aviation industry.
“If Bonza can be sold it’s crucial good, secure jobs are at the heart of the sale terms.”
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Australian Services Union’s assistant national secretary Emeline Gaske confirmed it was attempting to ensure affected service workers stay employed.
“(The union) is working closely with Virgin to ensure that experienced customer services workers remain employed in the airline industry,” she said.
“This week’s collapse of Bonza highlights that the government must prioritise regional routes, with regional travel being a significant driver of quality local jobs.”
ASIC records on Tuesday afternoon showed Bonza had appointed external administrators Hall Chadwick.
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.
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