'The spirit of Alan Joyce lives on': Bob Katter weighs in on Bonza demise

Bob Katter says the federal government must step in and do everything possible to save Bonza before Qantas “crushes” the sector.

Bonza entered the Australian market in January last year, with the promise of servicing less common flight routes into regional centres at a low cost.

At the time of the launch, the Member for Kennedy lauded the carrier as a great achievement for his Mount Isa electorate in regional Queensland.

Bob Katter has said the federal government must step in and do everything possible to save Bonza before Qantas

But following months of service cutbacks, the embattled airline officially went into voluntary administration this afternoon.

Katter blamed Bonza’s demise on Qantas, accusing the national carrier of “using its monopoly” to stamp them out.

“It appears to me that Alan Joyce has gone, but his spirit lives on and one thing for sure it ain’t the spirit of Australia,” he said.

Katter said Bonza had successfully cut flight prices down to one-third of the current cost and had bridged the distance between regional centres.

Bonza made its first flight in January 2023, but the airline now looks in serious trouble.

“Bonza has fought successfully the tyranny of distance, giving us a cost plus profit price,” Katter told 9news.com.au.

“How anyone could let Qantas get to where it is is beyond my comprehension.”

Katter said it was time for the government, state and federal to step up and do everything possible to ensure Bonza’s success.

“Bonza are great heroes, they did a really great thing for Australia, they went out and had a go,” he said.

“I just say my prayers that they get back on their feet.”

Earlier Bonza abruptly cancelled flights across the country, leaving passengers stranded.

Qantas and Virgin have said they will provide passengers with flights at no cost, where seats are available.

But Katter said this was a role for the government to “step in and help out”.

“I don’t think government today see their role as anything else except enjoying their time in the stands watching the area and never daring to enter the arena themselves,” he said.