An Australian couple’s dream wedding has been thrown into disarray following the collapse of two airlines within ten days of each other.
Shane Holford and fiancée Emma Chapman, from the Sunshine Coast, spent months arranging the ceremony in their favorite holiday spot, Vanuatu.
But the sudden collapse of Air Vanuatu, which this week grounded planes and canceled its flights from Sydney and Brisbane, along with the earlier collapse of regional Australian airline Bonza, has left many of their guests with worthless tickets.
“We have 19 of our wedding guests affected by this, so that’s 19 people out of 41 people in attendance,” Ms Chapman said. A current issue.
Other flights for the non-major routes that both airlines flew were quickly booked up, leaving the couple’s best man and bridesmaid unable to attend their wedding and Shane and Emma having to pay about $7,000 out of pocket.
The collapse of Air Vanuatu and Bonza ruined Australian couple Shane Holford and Emma Chapman’s dream wedding in the Pacific, leaving 19 of their 41 guests with worthless plane tickets
Air Vanuatu operates four aircraft, including one Boeing 737 and three turboprop aircraft
“There’s only so much planning you can do,” Mr. Holford said.
“Who would have ever thought that you would unfortunately have to take that into account.”
The couple got engaged two years ago and their wedding is planned for next weekend in Vanuatu.
‘I’m honestly an emotional wreck. I haven’t stopped crying. I am so upset,” Ms Chapman added.
‘We’re trying everything we can and we’re just so desperate.
“We hope that Virgin or Qantas, or even Air Fiji – there are three reputable airlines flying these routes – may be able to help and assist.”
Bonza entered bankruptcy earlier this month, with the airline confirming last week that its aircraft lessors, AIP Capital, are enforcing their rights and repossessing aircraft, with a view to repositioning them abroad.
The company owes a total of about $110 million, including $4.6 million to AIP Capital, $77 million across two loans, nearly $16 million to trade creditors and another $10 million to landlords.
Other debts include more than $5 million in employee wages and annual leave entitlements and $3 million to government agencies such as the Australian Taxation Office.
The first aircraft to leave Bonza’s fleet – a Boeing 737 Max 8 – flew from Sunshine Coast Airport to Honolulu shortly after 9am on Thursday.
Without planes, Bonza has canceled all flights until May 15 and will not compensate any customers who stay out of pocket.
It emerged on Thursday that Air Vanuatu had canceled all international flights as its government owner assessed its viability.
Just hours later, the airline went into voluntary bankruptcy, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
The couple had been planning their wedding for two years, but two weeks later the wedding was thrown into disarray by the collapse of two airlines.
Air Vanuatu is the Pacific Island’s only airline (photo) and is run by the government
Morgan Kelly, Justin Walsh and Andrew Hanson of EY Australia were appointed receivers of Air Vanuatu on Friday.
The Pacific country’s airline canceled more than 20 flights to and from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland for the rest of the week on Wednesday.
This was attributed to ‘extensive maintenance requirements’ on their aircraft.
EY said it would carry out safety and maintenance checks before resuming normal operations.
Mr Kelly, partner in strategy and transactions, said the airline’s existing management team would remain in place throughout the process.
“Air Vanuatu is of critical importance to the people of the Republic of Vanuatu and a strategically important business for the nation,” he said.
“Our team works closely with management to ensure continuity of service to customers and ensure that services continue as seamlessly as possible.
‘The outlook for the airline is positive, despite pressures on the wider sector, and we will focus on securing the future of this strategically vital national carrier.’
Affected travelers would be informed of this disruption and book a new flight once operations resumed.
Meanwhile, administrators of beleaguered budget airline Bonza insist there are still several parties interested in buying the cash-strapped airline.
Richard Albarran, of administrators Hall Chadwick, said several parties had expressed interest in taking over the airline. Details of a possible sale of the company were expected to be announced this weekend.
The administrators previously announced that standard notices for the leases were sent on April 17, almost two weeks before customers had to scramble to arrange alternative flights.
Discussions have been held with about twenty interested groups, including airlines and travel industry companies, a meeting was said at the end of this week.
Administrator Hall Chadwick revealed notices of default were sent to the airline on April 17, almost two weeks before customers had to scramble to arrange alternative flights
Further details were not provided due to commercial sensitivity, but Mr Albarran confirmed that at least one of the interested parties had aircraft ‘that could be deployed quickly’.
Administrators have talked to state and federal governments about an aid package, but none has been finalized.
Administrator Kathleen Vouris said a detailed financial report would be prepared in about five weeks before creditors voted on whether to end administration, a company arrangement deed or liquidation.
Several creditors asked whether Bonza was trading while insolvent, to which Mr Albarran responded that at the very least the airline was operating under “obviously significant financial difficulties”.
But he said it was too early for formal breaches of directors’ duties or for a ruling on insolvent trading.
The meeting was told that finding new aircraft could take about three months, although a short-term lease could be available more quickly.
The more than 57,000 customers whose flights were canceled were encouraged to contact their financial institution or travel insurers, but they will not receive a refund from Bonza.