The competition watchdog is seeking to maintain four independent operators in the fly-in, fly-out market, flagging plans to quash Virgin's partnership with Alliance over fears it would erode competition.
Kim Beazley has taken up his first major role since recently finishing his four-year term as the state's governor, joining the board of shipbuilder Luerssen Australia.
Rex has acquired the fly-in, fly-out arm of Cobham Aviation for $48 million, a move it hopes will help it become a premier operator in the lucrative resources sector.
Australian airline Regional Express (Rex) has been guaranteed at least one return service per week to most of its 59 destinations under the federal government's regional airline support program.
