Rex officially leaves voluntary administration

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZLJ (MSN 340B-380)

Rex (Regional EXpress)  has officially exited voluntary administration, with US firm Air T now taking full control of the airline. In a letter to creditors obtained by Australian Aviation, administrator EY Australia confirmed that the Deed Of Company Arrangement (DOCA) finalised last month is complete, and all Rex Group shares have been transferred to Air T.

“We are pleased to confirm that, on the 18th of December 2025, all conditions precedents to the DOCA were met and the transaction has completed, effective that same date,” the administrators wrote.

“As a result, the Rex Group has now exited deed administration, the shares in REX have been transferred to the purchaser and a new board of directors have been appointed to provide oversight and accountability for the Rex Group’s businesses going forward.

“Rex Group management is focused on minimising any disruption to the business operations of the Rex Group from completion on a go-forward basis and accordingly, continues to trade on a business-as-usual basis.

“Invoices relating to goods and/or services received by the Rex Group after completion will be paid by the Rex Group directly under its new ownership.”

Rex’s current employees have retained their entitlements, except for any outstanding superannuation from before administration, which falls under eligible employee claims in the creditors’ trust; former employees are also still eligible beneficiaries. The administrators noted that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will claim any pre-appointment superannuation owed to both current and former employees on their behalf, so continuing staff don’t need to take any action for this amount.

Rex Airlines was founded on the 11th of July 2002 and commenced operations on the 2nd of August 2002, formed from the acquisition and merger of two other Australian regional airlines, Hazelton and Kendell. The original airlines, Kendell and Hazelton, went into administration following the collapse of the Ansett Group in September 2001. The assets of both airlines were purchased by the Australia wide Airlines consortium, which then merged them to form Regional Express.

Rex is also the world's largest operator of the Saab 340, historically maintaining a significant fleet, often around 60 aircraft, making it by far the biggest user of this regional turboprop globally.