In a response letter that should be studied by every MBA student under “public relations epic fails”, Rex’s chairman Lim Kim Hai hectored and harangued the doctor, questioning whether he would reimburse patients "who did not get well after seeing you".

It was a jarring example of how the majority Singaporean-owned company does business.

A ferocious negotiator with a famously autocratic style, Mr Kim Hai is not a man you want to find on the other side of the board table.

Wagga ratepayers have just discovered why.

In a statement that blindsided councillors and the community, Rex on Friday night revealed it would walk away from negotiations with council to buy the airport hangar at the centre of the Douglas Aerospace loan debacle.

Accusing council of “wilfully and deliberately” dishonouring the contract, Rex even threatened legal action against the city.

Both parties are silent as trappist monks on the reasons behind the bust up.

What we do know is that the public money tap is still dripping on the hangar. Not only has Douglas defaulted on the $2.5 million ratepayer loan, but the company has been operating rent free for at least three months. Legal bills are mounting and ratepayers have been left carrying the can to bring the site up to scratch.

It’s a multi-million dollar migraine that council would love to get rid of.

Sensing council’s desperation, Mr Kim Hai may well be playing a game of brinkmanship in a bid to secure the best bargain.

Airlines like Rex have a peculiar business relationship with regional centres. In many ways, we need them as much as they need us – and they know it.

But as fiscal and political pressure mounts on council, its bargaining position can only become more untenable.

Strap yourself in, there’ll be plenty of turbulence ahead.