September

1 September

Rex reveals a full-year underlying profit before tax of $250,000 and an increase in revenue. Executive chairman Lim Kim Hai says, “On behalf of all regional aviation, I would like to place on record our gratitude to the Morrison government and to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development the Hon Michael McCormack MP, for their swift and decisive actions that have saved Australia’s regional aviation industry.” However, overall, for the previous financial year, the airline recorded a statutory loss after tax of $19.5 million caused by passenger numbers plummeting 90 per cent in the latter half of March and a $62 million impairment charge against its assets.

2 September

The Board of Airline Representatives of Australia now says arrival caps have made flying so unprofitable that they are now halting trips altogether – meaning even fewer stranded Aussies are coming home than the restrictions allow. The association suggests the solution is to both increase capacity in hotels and allow flexibility on quarantine for those who arrive from areas with less COVID-19 cases.