Bonza scraps flights from Melbourne to Gold Coast ahead of Christmas

Aussies planning on travelling between the Gold Coast and Melbourne this month may have to rethink their Christmas plans as Bonza cancels flights on the major route.

The struggling budget airline was due to kick off flights between the Gold Coast and Melbourne’s Avalon airport on Tuesday, however the new route has been delayed indefinitely.

Bonza has blamed aircraft unavailability for the cancelled flights and has begun to offer full refunds to hundreds of affected customers.

More than 400 customers have been affected by the latest cancellations.

Jetstar has stepped up to the plate to offer customers left in the lurch a chance to continue with their holiday plans.

The airline is offering special fairs of $117 one way until December 31 for those who have been told their Bonza flight is cancelled.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and advise if there are additional alternative options for passengers impacted by other Bonza route suspensions,” Jetstar said in a statement.

Melbourne is not the only one of Bonza’s Gold Coast routes affected by the issue, cancelling flights to and from Darwin until the new year.

Approximately 1600 passengers were impacted by the changes, 1100 of whom were given the option of flying to the Sunshine Coast instead.

Launched in February, Bonza is Australia’s newest airline and its first year has been marred with issues with regulatory processes, airplane availability and staff shortages.

Its new Gold Coast office has been particularly impacted according to chief executive.

“As we’ve previously shared, in the short term we will use an aircraft leased from our partner Flair at our Gold Coast base whilst we recruit Aussie crew for this third base,” Mr Jordan said.

“This arrangement brings with it a separate regulatory approval process.

“That process is progressing but is not yet complete and, as a result, we’ve had to make the regrettable decision to defer some routes to/from the Gold Coast including Avalon.”