Australian regional airline Brindabella has collapsed, leading to the loss of vital air services over Christmas and up to 140 jobs.
Brindabella has suspended all its flights indefinitely and insolvency firm said staff at the Canberra-based carrier will not be receiving any redundancy payments until the airline’s future is resolved.
Insolvency firm KordaMentha is believed to be looking for a buyer for the carrier, which is millions of dollars in debt, said Australia’s ABC News channel.
Last Friday, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority grounded six Brindabella planes due to lax maintenance.
Last month, four planes were grounded because engine inspections were overdue.
The airline has bases in Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney. Its headquarters are in the capital, Canberra.
Coach services will replace cancelled flights and Qantas is also looking at picking up some of the routes, on which it is offering discounted ‘relief’ fares to stranded passengers.
