Australia’s Regional Express warns of mass grounding without govt bailout

Regional Express Airlines says it will ground all regular passenger services outside of Queensland in a fortnight unless state and federal govts cover the company's losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The move would sever air transport links to some regional communities, Rex the only airline operating on most of its routes. Rex's deputy chairman John Sharp said the airline supported govt measures restricting travel to contain the pandemic but those steps would cause passenger numbers to fall by about 80%. "There is a tipping point in the airline business beyond which it will no longer be sustainable to operate reduced services," Sharp said. If govt failed to render further assistance, Sharp said that "we will see regional communities lose their air services for many months ahead". <br/>