Struggling budget airline Bonza has disclosed that negotiations with aircraft lessors have collapsed, leaving the company unable to utilize its aircraft, even in the short term.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday afternoon by the Sunshine Coast-based company and administrators Hall Chadwick, it was confirmed that flights would remain suspended for another week, up to and including May 14.
"The administrators have regretfully been advised that the lessors will continue to enforce their rights under the termination notices and, subject to their own requirements, seek to reposition the fleet elsewhere" the statement read.
"The administrators must also extend the standdown of the company's staff during this period."
This announcement follows revelations from a lawyer representing the administrators that nearly 60,000 customers have been affected by the company's collapse.
During a hearing in the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney, James Hutton SC informed Justice Elizabeth Cheeseman that up to 20,000 participants could
attend the first creditors' meeting on Friday.
"It is very difficult to see how 20,000 people could ever be accommodated at a physical meeting — that would require a stadium," Mr Hutton said.
Mr Hutton also stated that Hall Chadwick had sent emails to creditors advising them that the meeting would be held virtually on Friday, May 10.
The court heard that creditors comprised 57,933 customers with forward bookings, 323 employees, and 120 trade creditors.
Mr Hutton informed the court that due to the scale of the meeting, it might be challenging for creditors to ask questions, and representatives for the various creditor groups might need to be appointed.
Furthermore, despite a previous deadline, it was revealed that services were unlikely to resume tomorrow.
"There hasn't been any further communication … so the latest information is that the aircraft are grounded until at least today," Mr Hutton told the court.
"The company does not have access to the aircraft that it used to conduct its business due to enforcement action taken by the lessors."
Maeham Trading understands that a meeting was held with administrators and stakeholders this morning, where it was revealed that the deadline would be extended for another week.
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