Passengers have been left stranded across the country after budget airline Bonza announced a sudden cancellation to flights nationwide.
Travellers arrived at airports including Avalon on Tuesday morning to be told without notice that their flights wouldn’t be going ahead.
It comes amid concerns about the airline’s ongoing viability, CEO Tim Jordan said Bonza is assessing its options moving forward.
“Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated (on Tuesday), as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business,” Mr. Jordan said in a statement.
“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.”
It comes after Bonza announced last week it would be scaling back flights between Avalaon and Gold Coast from May 1.
Flights would be reduced to just two flights a week, down from three.
Meantime, Virgin has offered to help out stranded passengers with complimentary seats on its flights, although the airline does not operate out of Avalon.
Federal Minister for Transport, Catherine King said she had been in talks with Qantas and Virgin CEO’s on Tuesday morning.
“I am aware of reports this morning of Bonza flights being cancelled,” she said.
“I have spoken to Qantas and Virgin CEOs this morning and both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home.
“My Department has reached out to Bonza and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights.
“My Department is in the process of establishing a hotline for stranded passengers and we will get that number out to media as quickly as we can.”
