Bonza workers forced to wait to find out if they will keep their jobs

BONZA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-UJK (MSN 43974)

Over 300 Bonza employees have been informed they will continue to be stood down for at least another fortnight. Reports indicate that staff were summoned to an online meeting shortly after noon on Tuesday, where Hall Chadwick administrators announced the flight suspension would persist until the 29th of May.

Discussions are reportedly ongoing with entities interested in rescuing the struggling airline, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for this Thursday. At the initial creditors' meeting last Friday, it was revealed that there are as many as 20 prospective purchasers, encompassing airlines, travel firms, and investors.

The airline, headquartered on the Sunshine Coast, halted its nationwide flights on the 30th of April, stranding numerous travelers.

Since then, employees have been in a state of uncertainty. Currently, the airline is under administration, saddled with debts exceeding $116 million.

Emily McMillan, the national assistant secretary of the Transport Workers' Union, described this period as harrowing for Bonza's workforce. She explained that the duration without pay now extends from April through at least the 29th of May, with scant clarity on future developments.

"Going two months without income is quite challenging," McMillan remarked.

She mentioned that the union is collaborating with government agencies to aid employees facing pivotal decisions. She posed the question of whether they should depart and seek alternative employment, given the dire circumstances.

She characterized the atmosphere as somber, noting that while employees recognize the need for the company to recuperate and engage with potential investors, the prolonged uncertainty exacerbates the difficulty. Meanwhile, two aircraft formerly operated by Bonza have left the country.

Flight tracking sources reveal that the Boeing 737 Max-8 named 'Bazza' (VH-UIK) has arrived in Egypt after leaving from Melbourne on the 8th of May, and 'Bruce' (C-FLHI "Flair Airlines") has reached Canada, having departed from the Sunshine Coast on the 9th May .