Deborah Lawrie, who paved the way for female commercial pilots in Australia with her landmark High Court win over Ansett in 1979-80 and still flies for Virgin, recently attended a preview show of the play FLY GIRL at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre ahead of its opening on 22 October.

Airlines for Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Airports Association have congratulated administrator EY Australia and the federal government for the pending sale of Rex to American firm Air T, which will end a lengthy voluntary administration period.

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.