Bonza Flights Remain Suspended as Negotiations with Lessors Fail
Embattled budget airline Bonza has announced that its flights will remain suspended for another week, until May 14th, following the failure of negotiations with the lessors of its aircraft.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Bonza and administrators Hall Chadwick confirmed that the lessors will continue to enforce their rights under the termination notices and seek to reposition the fleet elsewhere. This means that Bonza will be unable to use its aircraft, even in the short term.
The news comes as a blow to the nearly 60,000 customers who have been caught up in the company's collapse. A lawyer for the administrators revealed that up to 20,000 participants could attend the first creditors' meeting on Friday, May 10th. The meeting will be held virtually due to the large number of attendees.
Creditors include 57,933 customers with forward bookings, 323 employees, and 120 trade creditors. Given the scale of the meeting, it may be difficult for creditors to ask questions, and representatives for the different creditors groups may need to be appointed.
In response to Bonza's collapse, the Flight Attendants' Association of Australia (FAAA) has launched an online fundraiser to support Bonza cabin crew who have been left without pay for the month of April. The campaign aims to raise funds to help crew members with rent, mortgage repayments, and other essential expenses.
FAAA representative Teri O'Toole said, "Our crew members have always been there to ensure your safety and comfort in the skies; it is now our turn to stand by them in their time of need.