Jake Nelson

The Commonwealth government has signed off on AMG’s $80 million Birdwood Road Mixed-Use Project Major Development Plan, which the operator says will deliver “essential services, sustainability initiatives and commercial opportunities in South-West Sydney”.

The American company, which was confirmed on Tuesday night to be buying Rex, expects to close the acquisition by year’s end pending creditor and other approvals, and has entered into an agreement with the Australian government to restructure the airline’s financing arrangements.

Administrator EY Australia announced on Tuesday evening that the airline will be bought by American firm Air T, a deal which had been all but confirmed by reporting in the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week.

The project, part of Perth’s “One Airport” program, includes terminal facilities as well as aprons and taxiways, and will be led by Western Sydney International Airport designer Woods Bagot. Public comment is open until 14 January.

The airport has partnered with taxi dispatcher A2B, which supports 13cabs, Silver Top, Black and White, and Silver Service, to install three kiosks this month at the Qantas domestic terminal which will allow passengers to pre-book taxis for a guaranteed fare.

Official BITRE figures released for last financial year showed that Qantas Group beat Virgin Australia overall on both on-time arrivals and on-time departures, but that Virgin had the highest completion rate of the major airlines.