Renaissance Partners Pushes Bid for Rex Airline

Sydney-based investment fund Renaissance Partners has bypassed administrators and approached the Australian federal government directly with its proposal to acquire Regional Express (Rex). The airline’s administrators had earlier dismissed the bid, describing it as “disappointing.”

In a statement to local media, Renaissance Partners said it submitted its offer to the government on July 30, 2025, emphasizing that its plan would keep Rex Australian-owned, restore the carrier to the Australian Stock Exchange, and provide a sustainable long-term future without relying on public bailouts. The fund also proposed relocating Rex’s operational bases to Canberra and Darwin, though further details of the bid have not been made public.

Rex entered administration in July 2024 after its unsuccessful expansion into the domestic trunk market with Boeing 737-800s. The move stretched the airline’s finances, forcing it to retreat to its core regional business, supported by a fleet of 57 Saab 340Bs, 26 of which remain parked.

In June 2025, the Federal Court extended the deadline for Rex’s sale to December 5, 2025, at the request of administrators EY. They previously noted that several credible, well-funded offers were under review.

The federal government has signaled that if no private buyer is chosen, it is prepared to intervene to ensure Rex’s survival, given the airline’s vital role in regional connectivity. Renaissance’s direct approach highlights the high stakes of the bidding process as the future of Australia’s largest independent regional carrier hangs in the balance.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com