Rex owners up Virgin stake

The Age, 3 Nov 2008, Michael West

The Singaporeans behind regional aviator Rex Airlines have quietly bought a strategic stake in Virgin Blue. They are lurking beneath the 5% disclosure threshold and had no comment when contacted by BusinessDay.

Entities associated with Rex have soaked up around 3% of the carrier. Whether Kim Hai Lim and Thian Soo Lee can get their hands on the readies to make a full bid is an issue in itself. Rex's market cap is only $120 million and though its management runs a tight ship - costs are low and government lobbying high - a scrip bid would have little chance of getting off the ground.

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