By aviation writer Scott Mayman

A Sydney-based group wants to save the embattled Rex Airlines by rebranding it as TAA and focusing its hope on Darwin Airport.

Renaissance Partners claims it has the support of Global banker JP Morgan to underwrite the deal.

Company director Andrew Cochrane says Darwin would be central to its operations, because the NT is closer to most of the rest of the world.

He says, if successful, it would mean jobs and investment for the top end.

If the takeover is not approved, he says Renaissance Partners will still go ahead with moves to bring back TAA.

Trans Australia Airlines (TAA), renamed Australian Airlines in 1986, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its merger with Qantas in 1992.

The bid to save Rex comes as China Southern Airlines hints at operating direct flights with Darwin.