Thousands of passengers left stranded after Australian airline Bonza abruptly cancels all flights.

The Bonza chief executive, Tim Jordan, has confirmed that the airline has temporarily suspended its services. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded across Australia after low-cost airline Bonza abruptly cancelled all flights.

Passengers wanting to fly from the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Avalon arrived at the airports on Tuesday morning to find their flights had been cancelled. Administrator Hall Chadwick announced that the entire Bonza fleet would be grounded up to and including Thursday, as key parties consider whether the company can continue operating during administration.

Bonza also advised travelers with flights booked up until Friday morning to not travel to the airport. Bonza launched in 2023 and operated a range of domestic flights across eastern Australia, but the company has struggled with aircraft shortages and low patronage since its launch.

Australia’s transportation minister, Catherine King, urged Bonza to keep passengers fully informed and respect their consumer rights. The Australian federal government has established a hotline for passengers whose flights were cancelled, and both Qantas Group and Virgin Australia have offered to assist anyone stranded by the cancellations.

The national secretary of the transport workers union, Michael Kaine, is seeking an urgent meeting with Bonza’s leadership to discuss how the sudden closure will impact workers.