The 767 was retired from passenger duty in 2014 but the Flying Kangaroo kept one to fly freight services. It comes as the airline begins its biggest overhaul of its domestic, international and cargo aircraft in a generation.
According to data from YouGov’s BrandIndex survey, most Australians have heard of the suspension of Bonza services, with perceptions of the embattled airline taking a sharp nosedive after it abruptly suspended all flights at the end of April.
Current assets, including cash on hand and inventory, have not been factored into the calculations as Air Vanuatu’s available financial information is “significantly out of date,” according to liquidator Ernst & Young.
On average, Bonza’s 186-seat 737 MAX 8s were seeing more than 130 customers per flight at its Sunshine Coast, Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Gold Coast bases since commencing services in January last year, a source with knowledge of the situation told Australian Aviation.
Flights will not resume before 29 May, administrator Hall Chadwick said, and staff will remain stood down until that time as talks continue with “interested parties” who could potentially save the embattled airline. Expressions of interest are open until Thursday.
James Goodwin, chief executive of the Australian Airports Association (AAA), told Australian Aviation the association understands Bonza owes “at least $10 million in unpaid aeronautical and terminal charges”.