Ex-Rex boss Lim Kim Hai making a name for himself at FIFO airline National Jet Express

Former Rex boss Lim Kim Hai is making a mark at FIFO charter operator National Jet Express with his unique management style.

Former executive chairman of Rex Lim Kim Hai has taken his colourful management style to National Jet Express. Picture: Justin Brierty

Former Rex executive chairman Lim Kim Hai is continuing his trademark “iron-fist” management style at fly-in, fly-out operator National Jet Express, declaring war on photocopying and costly suppliers to help tide the airline through the global trade war.

Mr Lim owns a 55 per cent stake in NJE after paying $12m for the share previously bought by Rex pre-administration, for $48m.

Despite facing legal action by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission over alleged deceptive and misleading conduct in his role at Rex, Mr Lim has taken a high profile at NJE.

In his latest monthly news­letter to the airline’s 500 employees, Mr Lim addressed the looming “global trade war” as a result of the “astronomical tariffs” being placed on China by the US.

He said China’s need for resources would “inevitably plunge significantly due to sluggish exports and a decline in domestic consumption, which would eventually lead to shutdowns across parts of Australia’s mining industry”.

“We need to brace ourselves for the worst and be prepared to fight the battle of our life that could determine the survival or otherwise of NJE,” wrote Mr Lim.

“To do that, we must all get out of the business-as-usual mindset, especially the one inherited from the Cobham days when the response to all challenges was to throw money at it. Starting immediately, we will embark on a series of measures to improve productivity and efficiency.”

He went on to say such measures would “reach all levels of the company” and include “reducing wastage in photocopying, and replacing significant suppliers, like the check-in system” provided by US company Sabre.

“Of course nothing comes easy and these changes would involve some effort, some sacrifice and some extra-mile from the staff,” he wrote. “Sadly we have seen pushbacks from a small number of staff. I am giving fair warning I will make it my personal mission to hold them accountable for their actions wherever they are in the hierarchy.”

Mr Lim was the centre of much controversy in his final months at Rex, after fellow directors ousted him from the executive chairman role. In response Mr Lim vowed to hold an extraordinary general meeting to vote on his own motions to return to the position, and instead boot out four other directors, including former Howard government minister John Sharp.

Rex plunged into receivership before the meeting could be held, with debts in excess of $500m.

Since then, administrators EY have sold off various parts of the so-called “Frankenstein” company, including aeromedical business Pel-Air, a flight simulator and the Mascot property that housed it, Textron King Air aircraft and the NJE stake.

As yet, no buyer has emerged for the Rex regional airline and its fleet of ageing Saab 340s.

ASIC filed action in the NSW Supreme Court late last year, accusing Mr Lim and three fellow directors of deceptive and misleading conduct, over an ASX announcement in February 2023.

The statement claimed Rex was on track for an operational profit in its full-year results despite evidence the airline was losing money on its metropolitan city operations flown by 737 jets.

The four accused, Mr Lim, Mr Sharp and Lincoln Pan and Siddarth Khotkar, have vowed to defend the allegations.

ASIC is seeking penalties including a ban on running corporations as well as a fine.

The matter is due to return to court in May.

Originally published as Ex-Rex boss Lim Kim Hai making a name for himself at FIFO airline National Jet Express