Unions representing Bonza Airlines employees have slammed liquidators after hundreds of cabin crew and workers were sacked.
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TVTranscript
00:00 Well, staff met with administrators this morning.
00:05 It was an online meeting.
00:06 We understand it was about 15 minutes late, which only added to the frustration that the
00:10 staff have been feeling throughout this entire process.
00:13 But in this meeting, they were informed that they have been let go.
00:17 There's about 320 employees who worked for Bonza, this regional airline which launched
00:22 on the Sunshine Coast with much fanfare last year.
00:25 But then of course in April this year, there was a dramatic downfall when all of a sudden
00:30 flights were cancelled across the country.
00:32 Now when those flights were cancelled, those staff were then stood down and were basically
00:37 waiting along with everyone else to see what would happen with their future.
00:41 So while they've been waiting, they haven't been able to work for other companies.
00:43 They can get casual jobs.
00:45 We've understood some of these cabin crew were walking dogs just to try and make ends
00:48 meet while they were waiting to see what was happening with their employment.
00:52 So in some ways, having this news today has ended the uncertainty, but it still means
00:59 that they have to wait for their entitlements.
01:01 These workers are still in limbo.
01:04 No jobs, that's been confirmed today, thank you very much.
01:08 But also no access to the government support system.
01:12 So the administrators should get a move on.
01:15 Clearly, and unfortunately, Bonza has gone down and the administrators now should get
01:21 a wriggle on, finalise this process so workers can access the government scheme.
01:27 In terms of where the company's at at the moment, they're still looking for another
01:31 potential buyer to try and resurrect Bonza.
01:35 It's been a challenge though and we understand that there has been no buyer locked in yet.
01:40 If the company does end up going into liquidation, then that will mean that the staff will have
01:46 to try and recoup their money potentially through the federal government.
01:49 If the company is bought out though by another company, they will be among the priority list
01:54 I guess for the creditors.
01:55 So they're among the creditors, not to mention all the passengers that lost money when this
02:00 company went into administration as well.
02:03 So it had debts totaling more than $116 million when it went into administration.
02:09 So as these developments come about, the hope that it will be resurrected, it starts to
02:15 look less and less optimistic.
02:17 But I think for everyone's sake, I guess the aviation industry's sake as well, having the
02:22 cheaper flights, I think everyone's still hoping that Bonza can get back in the air.
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