Hall Chadwick clips Bonza’s ticket at $1k per hour

Having surrendered the aircraft and attracted no offers it seems all that was left for the administrators of failed budget carrier Bonza Aviation to do was sack the staff, which they’ve done, via zoom.

Having previously disclosed to creditors that their fees were at times reaching $1,000 per hour – which is not that significant a figure when you consider that no less than four Hall Chadwick partners have been appointed – it’s no surprise that with no offer or DoCA in view a decision had to be made in respect of the approximately 320 staff.

That led to the administrators calling a virtual meeting at 10:00am yesterday at which Hall Chadwick’s Kathleen Vouris had the unenviable job of telling those in attendance they were being terminated, unlike the administrators, who are apparently investigating possible claims for insolvent trading and who say they haven’t abandoned all hope of a DoCA emerging before the second meeting.

That means more hours billed before the administrators can advise creditors of their recommendation as to the company’s future, which it would seem must be liquidation, an outcome that will have the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) trembling with anticipation as sacked staff seek recourse to the FEG scheme for millions of dollars in entitlements.

In a statement published on its website Hall Chadwick sympathised with the sacked workers.

“While this is not the news stakeholders wish to hear, the administrators must make a decision with respect to the standdown of the employees,” the statement said.

“Furthermore, customers need certainty regarding the operation of future flights.

“As a result, the administrators have no option but to terminate all employees and cancel all future flights.”