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Major airlines are offering free travel to passengers left in the lurch by the grounding of all Bonza flights.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia are all advising Bonza customers who were due to travel today to contact them to book these seats. The news comes after Bonza suspended all flights on Tuesday due to discussions about the low-cost carrier’s viability.
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A Jetstar spokesperson confirmed the move after being approached by Australian Aviation.
“We understand today’s news about Bonza will have a significant impact on many people’s travel plans,” the spokesperson said.
“For Bonza customers who are due to travel today or who are stuck away from home, Jetstar and Qantas will assist by providing flights at no cost where there are seats available.”
Only six of Bonza’s 36 routes are currently also served by Qantas Group airlines: Melbourne–Gold Coast (Jetstar), Melbourne–Sunshine Coast (Jetstar), Avalon–Gold Coast (Jetstar), Gold Coast–Cairns (Jetstar), Melbourne–Mildura (QantasLink), and Melbourne–Alice Springs (QantasLink).
“If there is another close alternative route that Jetstar or Qantas operates, customers who were booked to travel today or are stuck away from home can also travel at no cost (e.g. Brisbane as an alternative to Gold Coast, or Melbourne as an alternative to Avalon),” the spokesperson said.
The Flying Kangaroo is advising Bonza customers to contact Jetstar on Live Chat or 13 15 38, or Qantas on 13 13 13.
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates of any additional support for Bonza customers,” the spokesperson said.
This is the second time the Flying Kangaroo and its low-cost arm have assisted customers affected by Bonza cancellations, with Jetstar having offered discounted seats to Bonza’s Gold Coast passengers after the independent low-cost carrier pushed back flights in December.
For its part, Virgin Australia only has two routes that overlap with Bonza, namely Melbourne–Sunshine Coast and Melbourne–Gold Coast; however, the airline is offering stranded Bonza customers free flights between the closest airports served by Virgin to passengers’ origin and destination points.
“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,” Virgin said on social media.
“For those at an airport please see your nearest customer service representative or call our Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89.”
