According to a report published on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Australian Government, led by Anthony Albanese, intends to announce as soon as February 12, 2025, that it is considering the purchase of a controlling stake in Rex Airlines, the beleaguered regional Australian carrier that serves many smaller and more rural communities across the country that would be isolated to a large degree should Rex services cease to exist. The deal is being seen as a last resort for Rex, which has been struggling financially since going into voluntary administration in July 2024.   

Rex Airlines collapsed into administration following an ill-fated attempt to compete against Qantas/Jetstar and Virgin Australia on trunk routes linking the state capitals using its small fleet of Boeing 787-800 aircraft. This operation ceased once administrators were appointed with all the jet aircraft departing, leaving Rex with a fleet of 58 Saab SF340 turboprops.

According to the report published by The Conversation, despite administrators having worked tirelessly since then to secure a buyer for the airline, the government is expected to announce that to ensure continuity of operations, it will “work with shortlisted bidders on potential support to maximize the prospects of a sale.” This will be the second attempt to find a buyer for the embattled carrier after an initial attempt to sell Rex failed in late 2024.

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