It was as sudden as it was brutal: grounded planes, stranded passengers, and chaos across the east coast as Bonza suspended its services without warning.

With reports that its entire fleet had been repossessed in the dead of night, emergency talks about the ongoing viability of the business ended in Bonza entering voluntary administration – so what went wrong?

In this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, recorded before the voluntary administration was announced, Adam and Jake discuss the shock collapse of Bonza and what might be next for the stricken low-cost carrier.

Plus, Australia’s wet-leasing market gets bigger as the new owner of Skytrans lays out its plans to bring a fleet of A319s and other A320-family aircraft into Australia.

Bonza has come out swinging after reports in The Australian Financial Review that consultant KordaMentha had been called in to advise the airline.

In one of the more blunt denials we’ve seen, the low-cost carrier’s CEO, Tim Jordan, has insisted KordaMentha “has not been appointed as financial advisors to Bonza, or in any other capacity” – so what’s the real story?

Adam, Jake and Ben discuss the article and Bonza’s forceful response, as well as the upcoming route changes from its Gold Coast base.

Plus, Qantas’ new chairman steps into the job earlier than expected – and are the major airlines finally getting back to pre-COVID reliability?

With tensions flaring between Israel and Iran, Qantas has paused its non-stop Perth–London services, adding a new stop in Singapore on the northbound journey.

Given the difficulties of avoiding Iranian airspace between Perth and London while staying within the safe range of a 787-9 Dreamliner, is the Flying Kangaroo hurting for the lack of its new A350-1000 fleet?

Adam and Jake look at the implications for Qantas, including its future services from Perth to Rome and Paris.

Plus, a big week for airport infrastructure aficionados, with builds at Western Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle all getting a turn in the spotlight.