Passengers have resorted to using a budget airline after their flights were suddenly cancelled, with many now losing hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Australia's newest low-cost airline, Bonza, announced on Thursday it will cancel flights between Darwin and the Gold Coast for the entire month of December.
The airline's first flight between the two cities was due to depart last week, but the airline blames 'regulatory approval processes' for the problem.
About 1,100 customers have now been offered flights to Queensland's Sunshine Coast, while those who could no longer make the journey were offered refunds.
Many Aussies have since aired their grievances online, saying they now risk losing money for accommodation and other transport arrangements that had already been booked.
Australia's newest low-cost airline, Bonza, announced on Thursday that it will be canceling flights between Darwin and the Gold Coast throughout December
Others say the price of their new ticket is now much more expensive than their original fare because they had to buy a last-minute flight.
“I'm at least 1K behind because of these clowns,” one person wrote on social media.
'Will they reimburse us for the accommodation and transport arrangements that now have to be cancelled? I bet not!' said another.
'I now have a LOT of extra money out of my pocket because I book with other airlines at last-minute prices. If they had let me know earlier, I could have gotten cheaper replacement flights.'
Others wondered how the plane tickets could even be made available if they weren't approved.
'We booked flights with Bonza to avoid the other two biggies, but they canceled as they were not cleared to fly the route. How are they allowed to sell tickets on an unauthorized route? Australia's aviation industry is full,” said another.
Some passengers also claimed they spent hours trying to reach a customer service representative.
As many as 1,600 passengers are expected to be affected by the cancellations.
As many as 1,600 Bonza travelers are expected to be affected by the cancellation
One customer said they spent hours trying to reach a customer service representative
Others have said that the price of their new ticket is now much more expensive than their original fare because they had to buy a last-minute flight
Bonza CEO Tim Jordan apologized for the inconvenience and said flights to the Gold Coast would now have to be operated by their Canadian counterparts Flair as the budget airline continues to hire more staff.
“As we have previously shared, we will be operating an aircraft leased from our partner Flair at our Gold Coast base in the near term while we recruit Australian crew members for this third base,” Mr Jordan said.
'This arrangement involves a separate approval process. That process is progressing but not yet complete and as a result we have had to make the regrettable decision to postpone some flights between Gold Coast and Darwin in the coming weeks.
'We are acutely aware of the impact this has on our customers and deeply regret this.'
Mr Jordan said the airline was working with customers affected by the cancellation and would offer a full refund to those who are now unable to travel.
“Our priority at this time is to assist our affected customers as efficiently as possible so that they can make alternative arrangements,” Mr Jordan said.
Bonza announced the Darwin to Gold Coast route in September, along with two other itineraries between Darwin and the Sunshine Coast and Alice Springs to Melbourne.
Flights between Darwin and the Gold Coast were due to begin in late November.
They are now expected to start again in January.
Bonza entered the Australian aviation market in January 2023 as 'Australia's new and only independent low-cost airline'.
The airline operates several flights to multiple interstate destinations, including NSW and Victoria.