Christmas travel plans of Brindabella Airlines customers have been thrown into chaos by the airline's sudden collapse, with many left stranded and out of pocket.
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The collpase has cost Jamie Belcher at least $500 after expecting a refund after making a wrong booking for a trip to Newcastle with Brindabella.
The communications worker was told a fortnight ago he would receive a refund on the fare once he had purchased the replacement ticket.
''After a call to them, they said the $500 would be refunded to me as soon as I made the other reservation. I did that and no refund, and now I've got the email that they've gone into receivership as well,'' he said.
Mr Belcher said he would have to spend more money for a bus or plane ticket for his trip.
He said he was not expecting to receive the refund but that workers caught up in the grounding were the hardest hit.
''It sucks that it is less than two weeks out from Christmas,'' the 20-year-old said.
Public servant Bernadette Ní´ı Beirne said her family was booked to fly to Newcastle on Christmas Eve and return on December 27.
She said promises of assistance from airlines including Qantas, Virgin and Regional Express had not yet resolved her travel chaos.
Virgin Australia's moves to help will so far not include flights after December 20.
''I've been desperately trying to come up with an alternate plan that doesn't involve many hours' travel time and many dollars, but no luck so far,'' she said.
''I had hoped that the promised extra flights would include at least some direct Canberra-Newcastle flights.''
Ms Ní´ı Beirne said operators at Virgin Australia could not find any information about special flights publicised by the company.
''At this point, my plans are in tatters around my feet and my family and I are more than a little upset,'' she said.
Tanea Weaver and a workmate were due to fly from Sydney to Moree on Monday but were unable to get information from the grounded airline.
''We have missed a day's work which we do not know if we will be paid for.
''We have had to hire a car to get to Moree, which will cost well in excess of $400 including petrol. I did receive a generic text message on Saturday indicating all flights were grounded. I attempted to contact Brindabella over the weekend by email and phone concerning a refund but did not receive a response,'' she said.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the company would try to help Brindabella passengers.
He said customers in Mudgee and Cobar would be eligible to fly from Dubbo, those in Narrabri and Moree could fly from Armidale or Tamworth, and Brisbane and Tamworth passengers could fly from Sydney.
''Access to air transport is extremely important to regional towns, especially for medical and business purposes,'' Mr Joyce said.
Virgin Australia and Regional Express are adding extra services to assist passengers.
Virgin said special airfares would be put in place for Canberra-Newcastle and Brisbane-Coffs Harbour, but no plans for Christmas or New Year have been announced.
Regional Express is working to provide additional flights to some regional communities.
