Business
Passengers stranded as Australian airline enters administration
Australia’s newest budget airline has gone into voluntary administration, after abruptly cancelling all of its flights on Tuesday.
Bonza’s financial woes have left thousands of passengers stranded around the country.
Operating since last year, the carrier had been the first to launch in Australia since 2007.
Aviation remains one of the nation’s most concentrated industries, dominated by Qantas and Virgin Australia.
“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 aviation market,” Bonza said in a statement.
The company has appointed Hall Chadwick as voluntary administrators for its operating and holding company, according to documents filed with Australia’s corporate regulator.
Bonza’s eight planes – a Boeing 737 Max fleet – were repossessed by creditors on Tuesday, according to local media. The airline has not confirmed the claim.
Passenger Mel Watkins, who was due to fly to Launceston for a family holiday, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that she was “absolutely shattered” by news her flight had been axed.”I thought it’s an Australian airline, and we’d be better off supporting a small company, but it turns out no,” she said.
The federal transport department set up an emergency help hotline for passengers on Tuesday, after planes were cancelled across Queensland and Victoria.
Qantas Group and Virgin Australia – which account for 95% of the nation’s domestic aviation market – each offered to assist anyone stranded mid-journey.
Based in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Bonza launched in 2021, promising low-cost fares and a suite of new domestic destinations.
After delays with regulatory approval, it finally took to the skies in 2023 but aircraft shortages and low patronage saw it slash several routes in quick succession.
Those setbacks, combined with its inability to secure access to take-off and landing spots in the lucrative Sydney market, quickly sparked speculation over its future.
Australia’s main transport union is now seeking an urgent meeting with the airlines leadership to discuss how the sudden closure will impact workers.
“Bonza must ensure staff are prioritised and informed as this process plays out,” the national secretary of the transport workers union, Michael Kaine said, according to the Guardian.
Mr Kaine also criticised the “unchecked corporate greed” in the aviation industry that’s led to higher fares and warned that any carrier attempting to break into the market “has little chance of survival”.
(BBC)
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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