Thousands assisted to get home after Bonza flight cancellations

The Australian Government and airlines have worked closely to ensure thousands of affected passengers got home after Bonza’s recent flight cancellations. 

As at 3:00pm today:

• The Government hotline has received around 2,800 calls from Bonza passengers
• Qantas has made around 560 re-bookings for Bonza passengers 
• Virgin Australia has rebooked over 1,250 Bonza passengers 
• Jetstar has made over 1,780 re-bookings for Bonza passengers.

The hotline staff have assisted affected Australian travellers to return home and reunite with loved ones and friends.

I would like to thank Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar – and especially their hard‑working staff – for willingly assisting affected Bonza passengers, including re-booking passengers who need to return to their home airport, at no charge.

I would also like to thank the staff in my department for quickly setting up and operating the Government hotline for Bonza passengers who need advice. This is not the usual work of public servants, but they have performed brilliantly.

The Government hotline will continue to operate until 5pm Friday 3 May 2024.

After 5pm Friday, affected Bonza passengers can continue to contact Qantas on 13 13 13, Virgin Australia on 13 67 89 and Jetstar on 13 15 38 or Jetstar live chat, for assistance to make alternate bookings. 

The administrator of Bonza, Hall Chadwick, has set up a separate hotline for Bonza customers who want to enquire about their entitlements - 03 8678 1600. Customers can also email the administrator at bonzacustomers@hallchadwick.com.au.

After closure, any callers to the Government hotline will hear a recorded message directing them to those numbers.