voluntary administration after abruptly cancelling flights”>
Budget airline Bonza has entered voluntary administration after it left hundreds of travellers stranded at major airports across the country.
On Tuesday morning, Bonza passengers departing the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Avalon arrived to find their flights cancelled.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said the move was “temporary” and discussions were “underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business”.
But it emerged on Tuesday afternoon that external administrators Hall Chadwick had been appointed, according to documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan told a Senate committee in September 2023 that “the concentration of the aviation sector is extreme”. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
Jordan also confirmed to staff that the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737-Max aeroplanes had been repossessed, The Guardian reported.
Minister warns Bonza to ‘keep passengers informed’
Earlier on Tuesday, Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said she was aware of the flight cancellations.
“I have spoken to Qantas and Virgin CEOs this morning and both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home,” she said.
King added that her department had told Bonza the airline must…