Australian airlines ask government for up to $5.6bn to survive the coronavirus crisis

Virgin Australia raises the prospect it might end up in government hands, confirming it is seeking $1.4bn

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Australian airlines are in continuous talks with the federal government after asking it for loans totalling as much as $5.6bn to keep them alive through the coronavirus pandemic.

Virgin Australia raised the prospect it might end up in government hands on Tuesday by confirming it had asked for a $1.4bn taxpayer loan that could be converted into shares in the company "in certain circumstances".