Sydney Airport CEO reacts to Rex Airlines entering administration

The Rex Airlines administration is a difficult day for Australian aviation, and evidence that action needs to be taken to improve competition and efficiency.

Australia’s third largest airline has gone into voluntary administration and has cancelled flights on certain routes. 

Rex Airlines specialises in shorter, domestic flights with routes not often serviced by competitors Virgin Australia and Qantas. 

Customers who currently hold bookings are not receiving refunds, but can change their flight to go with Virgin Australia free of charge. 

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “Our first thoughts go to the Rex passengers and employees that will be impacted by the Administration.

“We are pleased to see that the Administrator will continue regional operations to and from Sydney during this period as these services are critical for many regional communities.

“What this situation demonstrates is that we need to change some things in the Australian aviation market for competition to thrive, because recent history suggests the barriers are too high.  

“We have a rare opportunity to get this right with the proposed slot reforms at Sydney Airport and through the imminent Aviation White Paper, and we remain ready to work with the Government on implementing both.” 

Sydney Airport have deployed extra staff in terminals to aid passengers at this time. Passengers are being provided food and drink vouchers and bottled water while this is sorted.