Call for federal government to buy out under-siege Rex Airlines

Since entering voluntary administration in July, the debt-laden company has been seeking a purchaser.

A new YouGov poll of 1044 respondents revealed 71 per cent of Australians backed more government intervention to ensure Rex could continue vital regional air services.

Just 10 per cent of people canvassed disagreed with the statement, while the remaining 19 per cent said they “didn’t know”.

In other findings, 75 per cent said the government should take an equity stake when it bails out failing companies such as Rex.

And 74 per cent of respondents backed the creation of a new independent commission to set standards for jobs and services in the aviation sectors.

The results of the survey showed the Albanese government had public backing to buy into Rex, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said.

“Regional Australia needs Rex, and this poll shows overwhelming support for the federal government to step in and safeguard its future,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.

“Not only are hundreds of aviation jobs on the line, but these routes are also critical to regional Australia’s business, tourism, healthcare and community services. The federal government must keep Rex flying.”

Administrators EY Australia has been searching for a new buyer since Rex’s collapse and successfully applied to the Federal Court for an extended deadline of November 25.

The federal government has stepped in to guarantee bookings on regional flights, but no details of any further bailout package have been revealed.

The airline is about $500 million in debt and has launched an asset sale as well as the buyer search.