Virgin rumoured to be mulling Air NZ merger and Rex acquisition

Virgin rumoured to be mulling Air NZ merger and Rex acquisition

Virgin Australia may be considering a merger with Air New Zealand, while simultaneously mulling acquiring Rex, according to a report in the Australian.

According to the News Corp. masthead, sources have revealed that Virgin and Air New Zealand have held discussions about a merger, with investment banks Goldman Sachs and Jerden allegedly offering the Aussie carrier assistance.

The plan would see a back door dual listing here and across the Tasman of Virgin into Air New Zealand, forming an expanded trans-Tasman network for both companies.

However, Air New Zealand chair Dame Therese Walsh has released a statement claiming it had not been approached and is not in discussions with any parties regarding a potential merger transaction.

As for the Rex rumours, Rex said in a statement that it is “up to Virgin Australia to comment on this matter”.

Virgin, however, declined to comment on the matter when approached by Travel Weekly. 

The Australian noted that Virgin would only buy Rex if it returned to servicing only regional routes, not to mention Rex’s reliance on 40 per cent of its feeder traffic from Qantas, which would surely end if Virgin were to purchase the airline.

The news came as Rex’s proposed acquisition of National Jet Express, the regional arm of Cobham, received the green light from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

Following this milestone approval, the airline said the sale should be completed on 30 September 2022.

Featured image: Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]