Budget airline Bonza has slashed flights across the country and leaving thousands stranded, with the carrier’s CEO in discussions around the “viability” of the business. As of Tuesday morning, multiple flights operated by the airline leaving from major airports across the country have been cancelled.

Some of the flights that have been canned include those departing from the Sunshine Coast scheduled to land in Gladstone and Rockhampton. Several that were due to leave from Melbourne airport have also been cancelled.

In a statement from the airline’s CEO Tim Burton, services will be “temporarily suspended” while discussions surrounding the “viability of the business” take place. “Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today, as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business,” Mr Burton said on Tuesday.

In a further statement sent to news.com.au, Mr Burton apologised to customers impacted by the airline’s sudden wave of cancellations.

“We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we are working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian aviation market.”

Bonza launched in January last year, after more than a year of planning and spruiking quirky aircraft names and cabin crew uniforms. The airline, which focused on flights to regional destinations including Cairns, Gladstone and Albury, also flies to Melbourne. However, Sydney and Brisbane are off the airline’s route path.

Earlier this month, Bonza announced they would be reducing the frequency of flights to some of its most popular routes, including Gold Coast to Cairns from five weekly round trips to three, Gold Coast to Townsville down from five weekly round trips to three and Gold Coast to Melbourne Tullamarine will be reduced from four weekly round trips to one as of May 1.

In an interview with the ABC,a man from the Sunshine Coast, whose wife works for the airline, claimed 20 cabin crew were called into a meeting early on Tuesday and told the airline had “finished”.

“She went to work this morning, as per usual, they just went in — there were two crews there — they were just basically told that Bonza has finished,” he told the ABC. “They’ve been told that they’re not flying until further notice. They’ve all been told that the bottom line is that Bonza will no longer be flying. They’re pretty devastated. It’s their job. She’s been in it from day one. It’s a bit of a blow for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast.”

Rival airline Virgin Australia announced on Tuesday that they would assist any passengers in need of a seat or who have been left stranded by the Bonza cancellations.

“We are aware of the temporary suspension of Bonza flights,” the airline posted on X. “We will immediately support any passengers stranded mid-journey by offering complimentary seats on Virgin Australia-operated flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.

“For those Bonza guests at an airport, please see a Virgin Australia customer service representative or call our Guest Contact Centre.”

This article originally appeared on news.com.au. It has been published here with permission. 

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