Coronavirus: Virgin Australia in voluntary administration after government rejects $1.4bn loan
Even before the pandemic brought a plunge in travel demand, the Australian airline was struggling with debt.
Tuesday 21 April 2020 07:34, UK
Virgin Australia has entered voluntary administration in the hope of emerging from the COVID-19 crisis in a "stronger financial position".
Australia's second-largest airline made the announcement on Tuesday in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
It confirmed the appointment of a team of administrators from Deloitte and said it wanted to "recapitalise the business and help ensure it emerges in a stronger financial position on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis".
Chief executive Paul Scurrah added that the move was aimed at "securing the future of Virgin Australia Group".
The move puts 16,000 jobs at risk.
It comes after Sir Richard Branson offered his luxury island home as security in the hope of a UK government bailout for his airline Virgin Atlantic.
Sir Richard's Virgin Group also owns around 10% of Virgin Australia. Other owners include Etihad Airways (21%) and Singapore Airlines, China's Nanshan Group and HNA with approximately 20% each.
In an open letter, Sir Richard said his group would work with administrators to bring about a "new beginning" for Virgin Australia.
He wrote to staff: "I know how devastating the news today will be to you all.
"In most countries federal government have stepped in, in this unprecedented crisis for aviation, to help their airlines. Sadly, that has not happened in Australia."
Earlier, the Australian government had turned down Virgin Australia's request for a AUS$1.4bn (£771m) loan.
Rival Qantas had lobbied for a larger loan for itself, saying that the smaller airline could otherwise gain an unfair advantage.
Qantas could be left with a monopoly over the domestic market if Virgin Australia collapses.
Virgin Australia was struggling with debt even before the coronavirus pandemic brought travel restrictions and forced the airline to ground most of its fleet and put most staff on leave.
The airline had AUS$5bn (£2.54bn) of debt at the end of last year, following seven consecutive annual losses.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said the aim is to restructure and refinance Virgin Australia and "bring it out of administration as soon as possible".
He said several parties had expressed interest in recapitalising the airline.
It will, meanwhile, continue to operate international and domestic flights for essential workers, freight, and to repatriate Australians.
Virgin Australia is one of a number of airlines to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Global airline losses are estimated at around US$314bn (£252bn) and many have warned they will collapse without government help.