Holidaymakers planning to travel to the Gold Coast this summer have been forced to rethink their plans amid major route delays and cancelled flights.
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Budget airline Bonza was expected to launch its route between multiple regional sites and the Gold Coast in December, but announced it was "indefinitely delayed" on Wednesday.
Changes impacted planned routes from the Gold Coast to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Cairns, Bundaberg and Gladstone in Queensland, the Whitsundays in NSW and Avalon and Mildura in Victoria.
Bonza boss Tim Jordan said the decision was "regrettable" and the airline was focused on informing customers as quickly as possible.
"As we've previously shared, in the short term we will use an aircraft leased from our partner Flair at our Gold Coast base whilst we recruit Aussie crew for this third base," he said.
"This arrangement brings with it a separate regulatory approval process. That process is progressing but is not yet complete."
It comes as existing routes such as Bonza's Albury to Gold Coast flights were also cancelled in December.
A date is yet to be set for the relaunched Gold Coast routes.
"The new start date for the impacted routes is currently being worked through but we remain very committed to offering a service to these markets and deeply apologise for having to make this decision," Mr Jordan said.
"We are acutely aware of the impact this has on our customers and we are very sorry for this."
It's understood customers will be contacted based of their date of their planned travel and "automatically offered a full refund".
But not all customers have had their travel plans cancelled.
Customers planning to travel between Geelong's Avalon Airport and the Gold Coast in December were offered a last minute reprieve by Jetstar.
A spokesperson for the rival airline announced it would offer "special fares" for Avalon customers impacted by the delay.
"Jetstar is offering fares for $117 one way for travel on the route from today until 31 December," he said.
Cairns travellers were also offered discounted $174 if their Bonza flight had been cancelled.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and advise if there are additional alternative options for passengers impacted by other Bonza route suspensions," a Jetstar spokesperson said.
