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The City of Wagga Wagga is writing off more than $100,000 of debt owed to it by Rex and by collapsed regional airline Jetgo.
The council voted on Monday, 22 June, to write off the outstanding debt from both carriers, a month after the Federal Government announced that 34 airports owed money by Rex would receive a total of $4.8 million through the Regional and Remote Airport Support Program.
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The program was designed to “manage any debts linked to the voluntary administration of Rex Airlines, and maintain the essential aviation services they provide for their communities”. A total of $17,152.54 would have been left over once Wagga Wagga’s allocation was used.
“The Rex Group entered voluntary administration on 30 July 2024 leaving a debt of $205,037.54 to Council for passenger fees and rental invoices,” the council said in a summary of its meeting.
“Council’s allocation from the Support Program was $187,885, which is the GST-exclusive amount of the outstanding debt.”
Jetgo’s debt, meanwhile, made up the bulk of the written-off amount. The airline, which began life as a charter and FIFO operator, expanded into scheduled passenger flights in 2014 before entering voluntary administration in 2018.
Its RPT network consisted of nine destinations in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and was served with an all-Embraer fleet of 37-seat ERJ-135LRs and 44-seat ERJ-140LR regional jets.
“The Jetgo liquidation was completed on the 13 February 2024, and the company deregistered on 20 April 2024. Confirmation has been received on the 10 June 2026 from the Liquidator that no debts will be recovered,” said Wagga Wagga Council.
“The amount owing to Council by Jetgo of $103,599.70 for passenger fees and rental invoices dating back to 2018 is to be written off.”
A report by the Australian Airports Association (AAA) in March found that more than half of regional airports in Australia are losing money, with the median loss of around $192,000 for the 2025 financial year.
In its Regional Airports Financial Sustainability Survey 2026, conducted alongside Regional Capitals Australia (RCA), the AAA found losses from “around $100,000 into the millions”, with 23 airports forced to defer capital upgrades due to financial constraints.
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