Affordable, Irreverent Aussie Airline On the Rocks

Bonza, a Low-Cost Carrier in Australia, recently announced the suspension of all flight services citing increasingly negative impressions of future viability.

The carrier technically entered voluntary administration, though it's hard to say it was a graceful occurrence when it left passengers all over Australia stranded where they stood. Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said that the firm was having "discussions" regarding the carrier's "ongoing viability", making sure to tack on an apology for everyone affected.

Not missing a chance to scoop up some public goodwill, competitor Virgin, Jetstar, and Qantas Airlines announced that they would immediately support any passengers stranded mid-journey by offering complimentary seats to the airport nearest their intended destination.

Bonza isn't entirely down for the count just yet, though - the firm may yet be able to bounce back with the help of some cutthroat administration from outside the company. Sure, plenty of companies fail to successfully navigate the edge of absolute bankruptcy when they enter into similar arrangements, but the aviation world has been watching a slow-motion success story with Van's Aircraft - if they can manage to scrabble their way back to corporate health, then maybe it's not entirely impossible for anyone else.

Bonza started operations recently, kicking things off in the early weeks of 2023 with a brand that leaned heavily into folksy, homely Australian culture. Bonza execs ultimately won the monkey of "the bogan airline" for their shenanigans, from their peppy, outgoing corporate culture to its Boeing MAX 8 narrowbodies "Bazza, Shazza, and Sheila". Now that it's under administration, Bonza could be parted out via liquidation or keep soldiering onwards, perhaps with some extra money-making services at the ready.

The carrier's early attempts were, if nothing else, interesting: Bonza used to sell tight, form-fitting men's swim briefs ("budgie smugglers", as the natives call them apparently) for the princely sum for $35 AUD a pair during flights, with women's bottoms supposedly scheduled for later availability. Surprisingly, shockingly even - that wasn’t enough to keep Bonza in the black, making for an interesting case study in airline profitability: Unflatteringly form-fitting male swimwear isn't the most lucrative in-flight purchase. Nevertheless, it would be a fun end to Bonza's story if they can make a comeback and apply the lessons learned through their scant life so far. Who knows, maybe they'll start offering women's briefs, too.

FMI: www.flybonza.com