Air T did not respond to the ABC’s request for an interview but confirmed in a statement that it expects to “close the deal” by the end of the financial year, pending creditor and other approvals.<\/p>\n
“Air T will work to ensure Rex will continue to operate on a sustainable basis, thereby providing critical services to regional Australians,” the statement said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rex entered voluntary administration in July 2024. (Supplied: Rex Airlines)<\/p>\n
Air T chief executive Nick Swenson said the acquisition fits with the company’s experience with regional aircraft.<\/p>\n
“We have high confidence in the quality of Rex Regional’s management team and employees.”<\/p>\n
The organisation said it was working with the Commonwealth and was committed to transparency during the process.<\/p>\n
Councils owed<\/p>\n
Several regional airports across Western Australia are owed money by Rex Airlines, including the Albany Regional Airport, 420 kilometres south-east of Perth.<\/p>\n
The airport is managed and run by the Albany City Council.<\/p>\n
Mayor Greg Stocks said the city was owed about $456,000 from the beleaguered airline, but was doubtful it would recover any of the funds owed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Greg Stocks says Albany City Council is owed $456,000. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)<\/p>\n
“There are 5,000 creditors, there is $500 million worth of debt, and we are a minnow in an ocean of unsecured creditors,” Cr Stocks said.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think there’s any chance given what we’ve just heard, and what we’ve known about what the administration looks like, that we would get a return at all.”<\/p>\n
The shire of Esperance, 700km south-east of Perth, is also owed just under $500,000.<\/p>\n
Shire president Ron Chambers said it was unlikely that money would be repaid under the new agreement.<\/p>\n
“We sit right alongside Albany as far as the minnows go, we’re part of that school,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They owe us $430,000, and I don’t know that we’re actually going to see any of that at all.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some regional councils in Perth are owed close to $500,000. (ABC Esperance: Andrew Williams)<\/p>\n
While “cautiously optimistic” about the sale and efforts to keep an airliner operating in the regions, Mr Chambers said impacted communities should have a say in how the new airline would be supported.<\/p>\n
“When the state government sits down to start to renegotiate, maybe this time we’ll get a seat at the table, and we’ll get some input in how that’s done and how that is secured so that we don’t see a repeat of this should it happen in the future,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The invitation is there for them [Air T] to contact us. We’d love to sit down and have that conversation.”<\/p>\n
Strong future<\/p>\n
Former managing director Geoff Breust ran Rex Airlines for four years until 2007, and said he believes it will be in good hands under Air T.<\/p>\n