Mt Isa crushed by Bonza downfall

North-west Queensland community leaders have been left gutted by the collapse of Bonza, which operated twice-weekly flights between the Gold Coast and Mount Isa.

“It’s disappointing for residents, it’s disappointing for the tourists and it’s disappointing for the airline industry,” Mount Isa Mayor Peta Macrae (pictured) said on Friday.

“It does make travel that much more unaffordable for people who probably couldn’t afford it anyway, who actually used that opportunity for a family holiday.”

She said there was a major difference between a $150 flight and a $500 to $800 airfare, particularly for struggling families.

“Our hearts go out to everyone that is affected because there will be a ripple effect, people that had flights had also booked accommodation and they are not now able to afford to fly.”

Traeger MP Robbie Katter said the collapse of Bonza was “devastating” for regional Queensland, particularly Mount Isa.

Although lauding Qantas and Virgin Australia for offering free flights to Bonza customers left stranded by the budget airline after it went into voluntary administration and suspended operations, Mr Katter said the carriers needed to ensure flights were affordable.

The head of Katter’s Australian Party said dominant player Qantas “extracted as much yield as possible and charged the highest price possible” on routes to and from the important industrial city.

“We are at the pointy end of the exploitation of airline p r i c i n g , Mount Isa, the NorthWest and the Gulf.” He said Bonza’s $150 flights to Brisbane had been a “gamechanger” for residents who needed to book last-minute flights for family emergencies or doctor’s appointments.

“I’ve got a catalogue of complaints, heartbreaking stories from people who haven’t been able to afford flights for things such as funerals.”

Mr Katter said there needed to be an appetite from the government to play a role in ensuring Qantas did not rort its customers, saying the airline was essentially underwritten by the government.

“There’s a huge problem that is accelerating the decline in population of regional areas, which is ironic given that Qantas was founded to enhance connectivity in the very area that’s hit hardest anywhere in Australia: Mount Isa,” he said.

“Now it’s doing the opposite, it’s destroying connectivity.”