Budget airline Bonza has once again hit travellers with unexpected cancellations across several major airports today. All Flights scheduled to depart from the Sunshine Coast to Gladstone and Rockhampton were grounded, causing inconvenience for passengers with bookings on those routes. Additionally, Melbourne Airport departures were also cancelled.

“Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business,” a spokesman for Bonza said on Tuesday.

Reports in the Financial Review are now circulating that the airline’s planes have been repossessed “Planes registered to discount airline Bonza have been repossessed by the former investment partner of the discount airline’s private equity owner, forcing the cancellation of flights across the country and leaving passengers stranded on Tuesday.”

While Bonza has not yet officially commented on the reasons behind these cancellations and service reductions, speculation centres on the airline’s ongoing troubles to establish itself in the competitive Australian aviation market. Bonza’s launch into the market has been a turbulent one with a number of stop-starts on routes and cancellations eating away at any brand loyalty or trust in the carrier.

Virgin Australia have come to the rescue for any passengers who may be stranded mid journey, taking to social media to share the below

We are aware of the temporary suspension of Bonza flights.

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.
1/2

— Virgin Australia (@VirginAustralia) April 29, 2024

It remains to be seen how Bonza will navigate these challenges and what long-term impact these service reductions will have on the airline’s operations. Passengers hoping to take advantage of Bonza’s budget fares are encouraged to closely monitor the airline’s schedule for updates and ensure their chosen routes are still operating before booking.