By business reporter
Nassim Khadem
Posted 36mminutes ago, updated 35mminutes ago.
Virgin Australia went into voluntary administration in April.
Virgin's administrator has written to the Federal Government, saying it is worried bidders for the troubled airline might pull out in the absence of government support for the airline industry.
The global aviation industry is facing an uncertain future, with coronavirus halting international travel and airlines announcing job cuts and calling on governments for support.
On Monday, Virgin Australia and Qantas grounded their remaining international passenger operations after government funding for the handful of overseas routes they were flying came to an end.
The limited flights had been in operation to allow Australians stranded overseas to return home amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Sources have confirmed Virgin's administrator, Deloitte, wrote to the Government on Tuesday, requesting urgent support.
The bidders are not only concerned about Virgin's financial status, but the general future for airlines given the uncertainty over when international travel could resume.
The Federal Government has consistently argued it will not bail out individual companies, but has given some funding for local flights, including some operated by Qantas and Virgin.
Virgin Australia
went into administration on April 21, owing about
$7 billion to about 12,000 creditors.
A number of bidders have been circling the airline, but the initial shortlist of 20 was
narrowed to two bidders at the start of the month: Boston-based private investment firm Bain Capital, and global investor Cyrus Capital Partners,which has links to British billionaire and Virgin founder Richard Branson.
Final bids are due this Friday.
More to come.
Posted 36mminutes ago, updated 35 mminutes ago