Queensland government hoses down suggestions it is considering bailout for Bonza

The federal and Queensland governments have told the administrators determining the future of budget airline Bonza they’re unlikely to provide financial support to help save the carrier, as the search for aircraft and a new buyer continues. During a first meeting of creditors on Friday administrators from the firm Hall Chadwick said “we’re moving heaven and earth” to secure a future for the grounded airline. The firm has been controlling Bonza since its planes were abruptly repossessed at the end of April. It has calculated that in addition to an almost $80m loan from its sole owners 777 Partners, the airline owes more than $20m to other creditors, including employees and customers. Asked about support from governments, administrator Richard Albarran said discussions were occurring with the federal government on a daily basis. “The federal government have indicated at this point in time, this doesn’t mean it won’t change, but the federal government has indicated it’s unlikely to be forthcoming in relation to any financial incentives,” Albarran said. Guardian Australia understands that the federal government is not considering providing any financial assistance to Bonza or its administrators, and that it views it as the responsibility of the administrator to determine the best possible way forward. Albarran said in Queensland – home to Bonza’s bases on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast and many of its regional routes – the state government was “considering its position”.<br/>