Travelers are left stranded as an Australian airline suspends all its flights.
Australia's newest airline, Bonza, has found itself in a tough spot. With a fleet of six planes brightly colored purple and given Australian-inspired names like Sheila and Matilda, they entered the scene in January 2023, promoting the slogan "Here for Allstralia." Specializing in flights to smaller, previously under-served destinations like Launceston in Tasmania and Gladstone in Queensland, Bonza created quite a stir. However, as of Tuesday, their financial stability is questionable.
As per a 9News report on CNN, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan stated on April 30, "Discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business." Customers are feeling the effects of these troubles, as Jordan also said, "We apologize to our customers who are impacted by this."
On Tuesday, Catherine King, Australia's transportation minister, spoke with Bonza representatives, urging them to update passengers about their travel options and consumer rights. She continued, "Our focus right at the moment is to assist Australian passengers who are stranded at the end of their school holidays."
Bonza sought to cater to the needs of smaller communities, but this decision has made it more difficult for those stranded by recent flight cancellations. While Qantas, Australia's largest airline, only services six of Bonza's 36 routes, they are offering affected Bonza passengers free tickets on Qantas or Jetstar flights with available seats. Virgin Australia has also offered their assistance.
Bonza's last Instagram post was uploaded on April 28. Amidst all the uncertainties, the company's website is still up and running, but it is not possible to book flights, as all travel dates seem to be blacked out.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
