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Cultural visit By Margie Maccoll A group of First Nations people led by Djinang Marangu elder Don Weluk travelled 3800km from the remote Maningrida area of north east Arnhem Land to speak for the Glasshouse Mountains, a site of cultural and spiritual importance to the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara communities. On Tuesday the Maningrida men performed traditional dances including their Black Crow dance at Noosa Junction in front of Noosa FM Radio before Don spoke to a crowd of onlookers about their journey, culture and artwork. Continued page 7
Djinang Marangu elder Don Weluk passes on traditional education relayed through artwork.
Bonza nosedive By Abbey Cannan Passengers were left shocked and stranded as Australia’s only independent airline, Bonza, cancelled all flights and entered voluntary administration on Tuesday 30 April. Bonza chief executive officer Tim Jordan said Bonza temporarily suspended services while discussions were underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business. “We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market,“ Tim said. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said she was aware of reports of Bonza flights being cancelled. “I have spoken to Qantas and Virgin CEOs this morning and both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home,“ Catherine said. “My Department has reached out to Bonza
and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights. “My Department is in the process of establishing a hotline for stranded passengers and we will get that number out to media as quickly as we can.” In February this year, Bonza celebrated a year since taking to Aussie skies, with the CEO stating they had big plans for 2024. “We’re predicting we’ll save domestic travellers somewhere in the vicinity of an additional $250 million this coming year,“ Tim said earlier this year. “Competition in Australian skies is a great thing for Aussie travellers and over 750,000 customers have already experienced the benefits of Bonza.” Bonza planned to expand its fleet beyond the six aircraft currently servicing the low cost carrier’s 38 routes, together with additional routes being added and plans for a fourth base before the year was out. The low-cost airline has grown its team month-on-month with more than 300 Bonza
staff located across the country. A Sunshine Coast man, whose wife works for the airline, told the ABC about 20 cabin crew were called into a meeting early Tuesday morning. “She went to work this morning, as per usual, they just went in — there were two crews there — they were just basically told that Bonza has finished,“ he said. “They’ve been told that they’re not flying until further notice. “They’ve all been told that the bottom line is that Bonza will no longer be flying.“ He said the news was a blow for the Sunshine Coast region. “They’re pretty devastated. It’s their job. She’s been in it from day one. It’s a bit of a blow for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast.“ The annual Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Airport Monitoring report for 2022-2023 was released on the day Bonza suspended services around the country. Australian Airports Association (AAA)
chief executive James Goodwin said, “Airports worked to support Bonza to enter the Australian market and we are monitoring the emerging situation closely while we assist affected passengers at terminals across Australia.” The ACCC report highlights the airport recovery after the Covid pandemic was not yet complete. While passenger numbers have seen a yearon-year increase of 127.4 per cent, they are still well below the pre-pandemic levels. “While domestic aviation has led the recovery 2022-23 passenger levels are still 10.4 per cent lower than 2018-19. International operations have been slower to recover, remaining at 31 per cent below pre-COVID levels,” James said. “It is clear the main reason for the incomplete recovery is constrained airline capacity, particularly from the two main domestic carriers. “The rebound in airport revenues simply reflects the increased number of travellers, with the reporting period the first without COVID border or travel restrictions.”