General News
21 August, 2024
Government guarantees Rex Airlines bookings amid voluntary administration
The federal government has announced it will guarantee regional flight bookings for Rex Airlines customers.
The federal government has announced it will guarantee regional flight bookings for Rex Airlines customers as the airline undergoes voluntary administration.
This move aims to ensure continued service for regional communities reliant on the carrier, according to minister for infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government, Catherine King.
Ms King confirmed the decision during a radio interview on Friday, August 16, emphasising the importance of Rex to regional Australians.
“Our first thing has been, really, how do we help make sure that this continues to be a viable business as it goes through its administration process?” Ms King said.
The guarantee assures travellers that they can continue booking with Rex Airlines, confident that their flights will either proceed as planned or they will receive a refund.
The government’s intervention is part of efforts to maintain essential air services to regional areas, where Rex is often the only carrier.
Ms King acknowledged the broader challenges facing the aviation industry, noting the complexity of the sector, particularly for regional airlines.
“It’s a really expensive business to run, particularly when you’re in that smaller market of the regions,” she added.
While the future ownership of Rex remains uncertain, Ms King suggested there is interest from potential buyers, and the administrators are exploring a market based solution to keep the airline operational.
