A bulldozer and a Virgin Australia plane are locked in a stand-off at Perth Airport.
Perth Airport confirmed it has taken possession of “a number of aircraft” which it says is “standard practice in these situations”.
The airport is holding the Virgin Australia property until a debt is paid.
Virgin Australia owes the airport outstanding charges and invoices for airfield and terminal use, reportedly up to $16 million worth.
“Perth Airport is working cooperatively with Virgin’s administrators, to try and help the airline come through the current coronavirus crisis,” a statement from the airport said.
“Virgin has significant outstanding invoices from Perth Airport for airfield and terminal use and charges, money the airline has already collected.
“While Perth Airport is working with the Virgin administrators, it needs to protect its own assets.
“Perth airport has taken liens over a number of aircraft, standard practice in these situations.”
It said the aircraft are not being used and have been “parked for some time”.
It said it continues to operate Virgin’s FIFO flights through the airport.
Virgin Australia is continuing to operate while in voluntary administration, and is not collapsing, the airline’s boss said on Tuesday.
CEO Paul Scurrah says the announcement that the carrier was in administration was tough, but the plan was for the group to survive the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 10 potential investors, some international, are understood to be circling the failed airline.
“This is a tough day for our airline … (but) we’re certainly not collapsing,” he told reporters.
The coronavirus pandemic was responsible for the worst aviation crisis imaginable but Virgin would be back, Mr Scurrah said.
Virgin owes nearly $7b to thousands of creditors, according to reports.
Perth Airport confirmed in a statement it has taken possession of “a number of aircraft” which it says is “standard practice in these situations.”
“Perth Airport is working cooperatively with Virgin’s administrators, to try and help the airline come through the current coronavirus crisis,” it said.
“Virgin has significant outstanding invoices from Perth Airport for airfield and terminal use and charges, money the airline has already collected.
“While Perth Airport is working with the Virgin administrators, it needs to protect its own assets
“Perth airport has taken liens over a number of aircraft, standard practice in these situations.”
It said the aircraft are not being used and have been “parked for some time,”
It said it continues to operate Virgin’s FIFO flights through the airport.