An Australian couple’s dream wedding has been ruined after two airlines collapsed within 10 days of each other.
Shane Holford and his fiancée Emma Chapman, from the Sunshine Coast, have spent months making arrangements to hold the ceremony in their favorite holiday spot, Vanuatu.
But the sudden collapse of Air Vanuatu, which grounded planes and canceled flights from Sydney and Brisbane this week, along with the earlier collapse of Australian regional airline Bonza, has left many of its guests with worthless tickets.
“We have 19 of our wedding guests who have been affected by this, so 19 people out of 41 attendees,” Ms Chapman said. A current issue.
Other flights for the non-core routes that both airlines flew were quickly booked, leaving the couple’s best man and maid of honor with no way to attend their wedding and Shane and Emma with an outlay of around $7,000.
The collapse of Air Vanuatu and Bonza has ruined Australian couple Shane Holford and Emma Chapman’s dream Pacific wedding, with 19 of their 41 guests holding worthless plane tickets.
Air Vanuatu operates four aircraft, including one Boeing 737 and three turboprop aircraft.
“The planning that can be done is limited,” Mr Holford said.
‘Who would have thought that, unfortunately, you would have to take this into account?’
The couple got engaged two years ago and their wedding is scheduled for next weekend in Vanuatu.
“Honestly, I’m an emotional wreck. I haven’t stopped crying. I’m so upset,” Mrs. Chapman added.
‘We are trying everything we can and we are very desperate.
“We’re hoping that maybe Virgin or Qantas, or even Air Fiji (there are three reputable airlines that fly those routes) can help and help.”
Bonza entered administration earlier this month and the airline confirmed last week that its aircraft lessors, AIP Capital, were enforcing its rights and repossessing aircraft, with the intention of repositioning them abroad.
The company owes about $110 million in total, including $4.6 million to AIP Capital, $77 million in two loans, nearly $16 million to trade creditors and another $10 million to owners.
Other debts include more than $5 million in staff salaries and annual leave entitlements and $3 million owed to government authorities such as the Australian Taxation Office.
The first plane to leave Bonza’s fleet, a Boeing 737 Max 8, took off from Sunshine Coast Airport shortly after 9am on Thursday bound for Honolulu.
Without planes, Bonza has canceled all flights until May 15 and will not compensate any customers who are left out of pocket.
On Thursday it emerged that Air Vanuatu had canceled all international flights while its government owner reviewed its viability.
Just hours later, the airline went into voluntary liquidation, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
The couple had been planning their wedding for two years, but two weeks later the wedding was ruined by the collapse of two airlines.
Air Vanuatu is the only Pacific island airline (pictured) and is run by the government.
Morgan Kelly, Justin Walsh and Andrew Hanson of EY Australia were appointed liquidators of Air Vanuatu on Friday.
The Pacific nation’s airline on Wednesday canceled more than 20 flights to and from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland for the rest of the week.
This was attributed to the “expanded maintenance requirements” of its aircraft.
EY said it would conduct safety and maintenance checks before resuming normal operations.
Strategy and transactions partner Kelly said the airline’s existing management team would remain in place throughout the process.
“Air Vanuatu is vital to the people of the Republic of Vanuatu and a company of strategic importance to the nation,” he said.
‘Our team is working closely with management to ensure continuity of service to customers and ensure services continue as seamlessly as possible.
“The outlook for the airline is positive, despite the pressures on the wider industry, and we will focus on securing the future of this strategically vital national airline.”
Affected travelers would be informed of this disruption and their flights would be rebooked as soon as operations resumed.
Meanwhile, administrators at embattled low-cost airline Bonza insist there are still multiple parties interested in buying the cash-strapped airline.
Richard Albarran, of administrators Hall Chadwick, said several parties had expressed interest in taking over the airline and added that details of any sale of the company would be revealed over the weekend.
Administrators previously revealed that lease breach notices were sent out on April 17, almost two weeks before customers had to scramble to get alternative flights.
Talks have been held with about 20 interested groups, including airlines and travel industry companies, according to a meeting later this week.
Administrator Hall Chadwick revealed breach notices were issued to the airline on April 17, almost two weeks before customers had to scramble to get alternative flights.
No further details were provided for reasons of commercial sensitivity, but Albarrán confirmed that at least one of the interested parties had aircraft “ready to deploy quickly.”
Administrators have talked to the state and federal governments about a relief package, but none has been finalized.
Administrator Kathleen Vouris said a detailed financial report would be prepared in about five weeks before creditors voted on whether to end administration, a deed of company arrangement or liquidation.
Several creditors asked whether Bonza had been operating while insolvent, to which Albarrán responded that the airline had at least been operating under “clearly significant financial difficulties.”
But he said it was too early for any formal breach of director’s duties to be issued or for an insolvent trading resolution to be made.
The meeting was told that getting new planes could take about three months, although a short-term lease could be available more quickly.
The more than 57,000 customers who had flights canceled were encouraged to contact their financial institution or travel insurance providers, but Bonza will not provide a refund.