Bonza's aircraft leave the country after embattled airline's fleet repossessed

Bonza 737-Max 8 “Bruce” has left the country. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Kirra Grimes)

Bonza’s fleet has begun leaving the country, after the aircraft were repossessed by the lessor.

The first 737-Max 8 aircraft, “Bruce”, took off from the Sunshine Coast Airport this morning, bound for Honolulu.

For the past week, the aircraft have been sitting on the tarmac blocked by physical barriers, including a large tractor and a concrete slab, as the airport attempted to “secure the aircraft” as the administration process unfolded.

The embattled airline entered voluntary administration and “temporarily suspended” services after AIP Capital terminated the aircraft leases at 11:51pm on April 29.

External administrators Hall Chadwick confirmed the move was preceded by default notices nearly two weeks prior but said the action was “not foreshadowed or expected”.

More than 300 staff were stood down without pay and told they would not receive wages owed to them for the month of April.

No legal intervention possible

In a statement released on Wednesday, Hall Chadwick confirmed it had attempted to negotiate with AIP Capital to keep the aircraft in the short term.

“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 and arrangements, seek to reposition the fleet elsewhere,” the statement said.

In an email to staff, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said no legal intervention to keep the aircraft had been deemed possible and the planes would be leaving their Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Melbourne bases.

“The administrators are very focused on doing all possible to get us back into the Australian skies, and there are several ways this can progress forward,” the email read.

Hall Chadwick told staff that discussions with potential buyers were still ongoing.

Up to 60,000 to join meeting

Four Bonza employees have been appointed to speak alongside union representatives and administrators at the first creditor’s meeting on Friday morning.

As many as 60,000 people are expected to join the virtual meeting, including 323 staff members, 120 trade creditors, and tens of thousands of customers who are out of pocket after their flights were cancelled.

The administrators confirmed the company was “not in a position to process or issue refunds at this time”.