McCormack still talking to airlines on aid

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has not ruled out providing further financial assistance to the airlines, although he is quick to point out the government has already put $1 billion on the table for the sector.

The aviation sector has been hit hard by the the coronavirus pandemic due to travel restrictions both at home and abroad, which have seen thousands of Australian workers laid off.

Virgin Australia has approached the government for a $1.4 billion loan to assist the airline through the crisis, but has so far been unsuccessful.

"We'll continue to look at the situation," Mr McCormack told Sky news on Sunday.

"I'll continue to talk to the key stakeholders, Qantas and Virgin, we need a two-airline aviation sector coming out of this (pandemic)."