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In August, the federal government guaranteed flights with Rex or moneyback. Administrators thanked the move as added certainty for customers during the process. However, there has been no specific dollar metric set until the event of cancellation, or say on whether further intervention might be needed to support the business or find a buyer including an outright [[bailout]].<ref name=gntee /><ref name=gntee2>{{cite news|date=2024-08-15|access-date=2024-08-19|title=Government guarantees Rex regional flight bookings during airline's administration|publisher=[[The Guardian Australia]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/15/rex-administration-regional-flights-government}}</ref> This has also drawn slight criticism from unions and the federal opposition, calling it a "stopgap measure" and calling to go further as stated, including guaranteeing staff on the [[Fair Entitlements Guarantee]] - a system that was put off in the case of Bonza -, with fears also for keeping remote communities connected to transit and essential services.<ref name=gntee2 /> Meanwhile, after an extended investigation into the source of a $500 million debt or possible [[insolvent trading]], the administrators blamed a series of factors principally a pilot shortage and other supply chain issues, ex-staff entitlements and half-empty seats for the collapse.<ref name=gntee /> The company is indebted to a total of 4,800 creditors including ex-staff, airports and funders.<ref name=gntee>{{cite news|date=2024-08-15|access-date=2024-08-19|title=Federal government guarantees regional flights for Rex customers during administration|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-15/federal-government-regional-flight-guarantee-rex-customers/104229848}}</ref><ref name=gntee3 /><ref name=gntee2 />
In August, the federal government guaranteed flights with Rex or moneyback. Administrators thanked the move as added certainty for customers during the process. However, there has been no specific dollar metric set until the event of cancellation, or say on whether further intervention might be needed to support the business or find a buyer including an outright [[bailout]].<ref name=gntee /><ref name=gntee2>{{cite news|date=2024-08-15|access-date=2024-08-19|title=Government guarantees Rex regional flight bookings during airline's administration|publisher=[[The Guardian Australia]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/15/rex-administration-regional-flights-government}}</ref> This has also drawn slight criticism from unions and the federal opposition, calling it a "stopgap measure" and calling to go further as stated, including guaranteeing staff on the [[Fair Entitlements Guarantee]] - a system that was put off in the case of Bonza -, with fears also for keeping remote communities connected to transit and essential services.<ref name=gntee2 /> Meanwhile, after an extended investigation into the source of a $500 million debt or possible [[insolvent trading]], the administrators blamed a series of factors principally a pilot shortage and other supply chain issues, ex-staff entitlements and half-empty seats for the collapse.<ref name=gntee /> The company is indebted to a total of 4,800 creditors including ex-staff, airports and funders.<ref name=gntee>{{cite news|date=2024-08-15|access-date=2024-08-19|title=Federal government guarantees regional flights for Rex customers during administration|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-15/federal-government-regional-flight-guarantee-rex-customers/104229848}}</ref><ref name=gntee3 /><ref name=gntee2 />
It is estimated that the administration of Rex has resulted in about 600 job losses within the company<ref name=gntee /> and counting,<ref name=gntee3>{{cite news|date=2024-08-19|title=Administrators for Rex to axe another 73 jobs at troubled regional airline|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-19/rex-to-cut-more-jobs-airline-voluntary-administration/104242882}}</ref> with the assurance that business is not affected and that the staff are not being stripped right down but in fact were returned to original levels.<ref name=gntee3 /> There are no plans on whether ever to resume 737 flights. <ref name=gntee2 />
It is estimated that the administration of Rex has resulted in about 600 job losses within the company<ref name=gntee /> and counting,<ref name=gntee3>{{cite news|date=2024-08-19|title=Administrators for Rex to axe another 73 jobs at troubled regional airline|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-19/rex-to-cut-more-jobs-airline-voluntary-administration/104242882}}</ref> with the assurance that business is not affected and that the staff are not being stripped right down but in fact were returned to original levels.<ref name=gntee3 /> There are no plans on whether ever to resume 737 flights.<ref name=gntee2 />
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A float of Virgin Australia has been pushed back by about a year, say sources{{whom|date=August 2024}}, after the carrier recently entered talks with Rex about taking on some assets from the failed regional carrier.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} There are no plans on whether ever to resume 737 flights. <ref name=gntee2 />
A float of Virgin Australia has been pushed back by about a year, say sources{{whom|date=August 2024}}, after the carrier recently entered talks with Rex about taking on some assets from the failed regional carrier.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} There are no plans on whether ever to resume 737 flights.<ref name=gntee2 />
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On 23 August, the company was granted an extension of the administration by the [[Federal Court of Australia]] to 25 November, allowing more time to process and bind expressions of interest but does not intend to use all of it to find a buyer.<ref name=ext>{{cite news|date=2024-08-23|title=Rex Airlines administrators granted extension to secure a buyer|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/rex-airlines-administrators-granted-extension-to-secure-a-buyer/news-story/e7088692891e5dfd0d145fa3c9443064|access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> It was later revealed that there are reports of no real interest in buying the company and that the holding company may be either broken up and sold, placed into [[liquidation]]<ref name=no2>{{cite news|date=2024-09-30|title=‘No obvious buyers’ for Rex, claims source|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/09/no-obvious-buyers-for-rex-claims-source/|publisher=Australian Aviation|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=no1 />, and/or moved on to receivership.<ref name=receivers2/> On 8 October, it was revealed a [[YouGov]] poll suggested high popular demand for further government intervention such as part-[[nationalisation]] of the company and setting up a seperate industry commission, such as a "Safe & Secure Skies Commission", to reduce fierce monopoly and fair work & consumer affairs violations plaguing the industry.<ref name=poll>{{cite news|date=2024-10-08|title=Albanese government called to buy out beleaguered Rex Airlines|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/albanese-government-called-to-buy-out-beleaguered-rex-airlines/news-story/ec05777f51f6329086ff12686dc8c314|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|access-date=2024-10-08}}</ref>
On 23 August, the company was granted an extension of the administration by the [[Federal Court of Australia]] to 25 November, allowing more time to process and bind expressions of interest but does not intend to use all of it to find a buyer.<ref name=ext>{{cite news|date=2024-08-23|title=Rex Airlines administrators granted extension to secure a buyer|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/rex-airlines-administrators-granted-extension-to-secure-a-buyer/news-story/e7088692891e5dfd0d145fa3c9443064|access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> It was later revealed that there are reports of no real interest in buying the company and that the holding company may be either broken up and sold, placed into [[liquidation]],<ref name=no2>{{cite news|date=2024-09-30|title=‘No obvious buyers’ for Rex, claims source|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/09/no-obvious-buyers-for-rex-claims-source/|publisher=Australian Aviation|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=no1 /> and/or moved on to receivership.<ref name=receivers2/> On 8 October, it was revealed a [[YouGov]] poll suggested high popular demand for further government intervention such as part-[[nationalisation]] of the company and setting up a separate industry commission, such as a "Safe & Secure Skies Commission", to reduce fierce monopoly and fair work and consumer affairs violations plaguing the industry.<ref name=poll>{{cite news|date=2024-10-08|title=Albanese government called to buy out beleaguered Rex Airlines|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/albanese-government-called-to-buy-out-beleaguered-rex-airlines/news-story/ec05777f51f6329086ff12686dc8c314|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|access-date=2024-10-08}}</ref>


== Controversies ==
== Controversies ==


=== Political links and possible corruption ===
=== Political links and possible corruption ===
Rex has been criticised for its close political and financial relationship with the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]], particularly the centre-right to right-wing [[National Party of Australia]]. [[John Sharp (Australian politician)|John Sharp]], Rex's current deputy chairman, was a National Party member of the Australian Parliament from 1984 to 1998.
Rex has been criticised for its close political and financial relationship with the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]], particularly the centre-right to right-wing [[National Party of Australia]]. [[John Sharp (Australian politician)|John Sharp]], Rex's current deputy chairman, was a National Party member of the Australian Parliament from 1984 to 1998.


Rex provides National Party members with flight tickets free of charge during election campaigns, and is a major donor to the political party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-02-03 |title=Cabinet minister fails to disclose free travel to campaign for Barnaby Joyce |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-02-04/cabinet-minister-bridget-mckenzie-failed-to-disclose-free-travel/9391140 |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
Rex provides National Party members with flight tickets free of charge during election campaigns, and is a major donor to the political party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-02-03 |title=Cabinet minister fails to disclose free travel to campaign for Barnaby Joyce |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-02-04/cabinet-minister-bridget-mckenzie-failed-to-disclose-free-travel/9391140 |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
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!colspan=3|Passengers<br><small></small>
!colspan=3|Passengers<br><small></small>
!rowspan=2|Notes
!rowspan=2|Notes
|-
|-
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Business class">J</abbr>
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Business class">J</abbr>
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Economy class">Y</abbr>
! style="width:25px;" | <abbr title="Economy class">Y</abbr>

Revision as of 01:36, 11 October 2024

Rex Airlines Pty. Ltd.
IATA ICAO Call sign
ZL RXA REX
Founded11 July 2002; 22 years ago (2002-07-11)
(amalgamation)
Commenced operations2 August 2002; 22 years ago (2002-08-02)
AOC #CASA.AOC.0109
Operating bases
Frequent-flyer programRex Flyer
Fleet size58[1]
Destinations56[2]
Parent companyRegional Express Holdings
HeadquartersMascot, New South Wales, Australia
Key peopleNeville Howell (CEO)[3]
Websitewww.rex.com.au

Rex Airlines Pty Ltd is an Australian regional airline based in Mascot, New South Wales. It operates scheduled regional services using turboprop aircraft. Between 2021 and 2024, Rex also operated jet services between selected major Australian cities. In July 2024 it was placed into voluntary administration.

It is the primary subsidiary of Regional Express Holdings, itself predominantly foreign-owned by Singaporean businessman Lim Kim Hai and Hong Kong investment firm PAG.[4] Rex is Australia's second-largest regional airline by number of regional destinations, serving 45 regional destinations, behind QantasLink, who serve 55 regional destinations across Australia.[5][6]

On the night of 30 July 2024, the airline ceased all bookings for domestic jet service routes to capital cities and fell into voluntary administration, appointing joint administrators from Ernst & Young. It came one day after Rex stopped trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), amid fears the airline could halt all operations. Rex continues to operate some regional services, which are being funded by PAG Asia[7] and Queensland government[citation needed], despite its administration.

In September 2024, two months after the commencement of the administration, it was revealed that no buyer is currently found, and it is likely that Rex will be broken up and sold or placed into liquidation or receivership.[8][9] It did, however, previously get an extension from the Federal Court of Australia to further facilitate the sale process.[10]

History

Rex's facility at Wagga Wagga Airport in June 2008

The airline was established in 2002 when the Australiawide Airlines consortium (set up by former Ansett Australia employees) acquired Hazelton Airlines and Kendell Airlines, before merging the companies and starting operations as Rex in August 2002.[11] In 2005, Australiawide Airlines was renamed Regional Express Holdings and partially floated on the Australian Securities Exchange.[12] On 30 November 2005, Rex announced the acquisition of the Dubbo-based Air Link, another regional airline.[13]

In October 2007, Rex expanded into Queensland when it commenced operations between Brisbane and Maryborough.[14] This exacerbated an existing problem within the company of not having enough pilots to crew its flights (due to the expansion of larger airlines, especially Jetstar and Virgin Blue),[15][16] and Rex suspended operations out of Brisbane[17] (and from Sydney to Cooma during the summer "low season" for this route to the NSW ski fields)[18] in November 2007. To provide a medium-term solution to the pilot shortage, Rex announced that it was establishing a cadet-pilot flight-training programme.[19]

In November 2015, Rex announced the resumption of services to the NSW Snowy Mountains in conjunction with Snowy Mountains Airport Corporation, with the flights resuming in March 2016.[20] In December 2015, Rex announced that it would be commencing operations in Western Australia in February the following year after being selected by the Government of Western Australia to be the operator of regulated RPT routes after a tender process. Initially operating from Perth to Albany and Esperance, in July 2018 the Western Australian operations expanded to include Carnarvon and Monkey Mia. It brought Rex's weekly flights to roughly 1,500 across 60 destinations.[21]

Starting on 6 April 2020, Rex significantly scaled back all its regional services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to only offer government-subsidised services within Queensland and Western Australia and one flight a week between all 54 regional and remote communities within its route network. Services including Adelaide to Port Augusta, Sydney to Newcastle and Sydney to Armidale were suspended.[22]

In June 2020, eyeing the demise of Tigerair Australia, Rex announced interest in expanding into the domestic airline market between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Rex leased six Boeing 737-800s previously leased by Virgin Australia to operate the new services, with the first delivered in November 2020.[23][24] The first jet operations began on 1 March 2021 on the Melbourne to Sydney route.[25] Also in June 2020, Rex announced that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with ATR to explore options for replacing the Saab 340 fleet with ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft.[26] Following the airline's launch of jet services in March 2021, Rex replaced the announced Brisbane jet services in early April with services to Adelaide and Gold Coast, with the start of services occurring between 29 March and 1 April.[27] The airline later cancelled all 737 fights and went into administration.

Regional Express Holdings

Regional Express Holdings' head office in Mascot
Regional Express Holdings Limited
Company typePublic company
ASX: REX
IndustryAir travel
Founded2002
HeadquartersSydney, Australia
Key people
John Sharp AM, Chairman[28]
ProductsAirlines, air cargo, air charter
RevenueA$353.388 million (2024)[29]
A$1.379 million (2024)[29]
Websitewww.rex.com.au

Regional Express Holdings Limited is the parent company of a number of airline and associated companies in Australia. It is based in Mascot, New South Wales (a suburb of Sydney) and is a public listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange. Regional Express Holdings arose from the 2001 collapse of Ansett Airlines, which was the parent company of Kendell Airlines and Hazelton Airlines. A group of Singaporean investors and a collection of Australian private investors purchased the Hazelton and Kendell businesses, which were profitable entities before they were taken over by Ansett. The investors formed Australiawide Airlines, which was officially incorporated on 12 February 2002. The assets of the two airlines were purchased by Australiawide and merged to form the airline Regional Express, known as Rex. In 2005 Australiawide offered a percentage of the owners' shares (35 million out of 115 million shares, or 30.43%) to the public in a float.[30][31] At the same time an agreement was reached with the owners of Pel-Air that Australiawide would purchase Pel-Air.[32]

As part of the public float process, Australiawide Airlines' name was changed to Regional Express Holdings. Regional Express Holdings is the owner of a number of other companies.[33] The main asset is Regional Express Pty Ltd. which is the company that operates the business of the airline Regional Express (Rex) and owns Rex Airlines Pty Limited. Rex Airlines Pty Limited was registered on the 6 July 2020 as part of Rex domestic expansion plans, responsible for issuing tickets on behalf of Regional Express Pty Limited. Another company is Air Partners Pty. Ltd., which is the company that owns National Jet Express and Pel-Air and Rex Flyer. The third subsidiary company is Rex Investment Holdings Pty. Ltd., which owns the Australian Aero Propeller Maintenance and Australian Airline Pilot Academies based in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.

2024 voluntary administration

In July 2024, the company was placed into a trading halt on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), with speculation that the company is seeking voluntary administration originally with Deloitte.[34][35] This sparked comparisons with Bonza - who collapsed and later was wound up earlier that year - and calls by the union for government intervention, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking for time and conditions and criticising the company's move away from regional service.[34] It later suspended ticket sales between major cities, with plans to exit back out of the metropolitan market and appoint EY as administrators.[36] Jet operations on the Rex fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft were suspended, with an agreement reached with Virgin Australia to accommodate affected Rex customers between 30 July and 14 August 2024.[37] On 31 July, the company officially fell into voluntary administration and cancelled 737 operations to capital cities, but continued to operate regional services.[35][38][39] PAG has held off taking the company under receivership, with the hope that the company will be sold instead.[40][41]

In August, the federal government guaranteed flights with Rex or moneyback. Administrators thanked the move as added certainty for customers during the process. However, there has been no specific dollar metric set until the event of cancellation, or say on whether further intervention might be needed to support the business or find a buyer including an outright bailout.[42][7] This has also drawn slight criticism from unions and the federal opposition, calling it a "stopgap measure" and calling to go further as stated, including guaranteeing staff on the Fair Entitlements Guarantee - a system that was put off in the case of Bonza -, with fears also for keeping remote communities connected to transit and essential services.[7] Meanwhile, after an extended investigation into the source of a $500 million debt or possible insolvent trading, the administrators blamed a series of factors principally a pilot shortage and other supply chain issues, ex-staff entitlements and half-empty seats for the collapse.[42] The company is indebted to a total of 4,800 creditors including ex-staff, airports and funders.[42][43][7] It is estimated that the administration of Rex has resulted in about 600 job losses within the company[42] and counting,[43] with the assurance that business is not affected and that the staff are not being stripped right down but in fact were returned to original levels.[43] There are no plans on whether ever to resume 737 flights.[7]

On 23 August, the company was granted an extension of the administration by the Federal Court of Australia to 25 November, allowing more time to process and bind expressions of interest but does not intend to use all of it to find a buyer.[10] It was later revealed that there are reports of no real interest in buying the company and that the holding company may be either broken up and sold, placed into liquidation,[9][8] and/or moved on to receivership.[41] On 8 October, it was revealed a YouGov poll suggested high popular demand for further government intervention such as part-nationalisation of the company and setting up a separate industry commission, such as a "Safe & Secure Skies Commission", to reduce fierce monopoly and fair work and consumer affairs violations plaguing the industry.[44]

Controversies

Rex has been criticised for its close political and financial relationship with the Coalition, particularly the centre-right to right-wing National Party of Australia. John Sharp, Rex's current deputy chairman, was a National Party member of the Australian Parliament from 1984 to 1998.

Rex provides National Party members with flight tickets free of charge during election campaigns, and is a major donor to the political party.[45]

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was revealed that Rex received more taxpayer funds than Qantas and Virgin Australia combined,[46] despite the Australian flag-carrier being more than six times larger than Rex by number of aircraft and employees. In response to this revelation, the then-Labor opposition accused the then-Coalition Government of "supporting their National Party mates", a reference to the close friendship between John Sharp and then-deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Michael McCormack, who authorised the handout.[47][48]

In 2022, the year the Coalition lost government federally, Rex named a newly delivered 737-800 aircraft after McCormack at the airline's 20th anniversary celebrations.[49]

Arizona aircraft theft

In September 2024, it was revealed that USA-based firm Jet Midwest Group filed a US$7,200,000 (AU$10,737,760) lawsuit alleging Rex unlawfully dismantled parts and scrapped the airframes of 4 SAAB 340 aircraft in the firm's possession when they were stored at an aircraft boneyard in Kingman Airport, Arizona.[50][51] The lawsuit, filed by the firm in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, alleges Rex instructed a third party to remove these parts, which included engines and propellers, as well as to scrap the airframes, and profited from the sale of these components.[51]

Destinations

Rex Airlines initially offered regional flights from various bases across Australia using turboprop aircraft, but in March 2021 began flying between its bases using jet aircraft with flights between Melbourne and Sydney. Prior to its voluntary administration in July 2024, its domestic flights were between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Hobart.[52]

Rex Airlines operates to the following 45 destinations[53] as of August 2023:

State/territory City Airport Notes Refs
Australian Capital Territory Canberra Canberra Airport [54]
New South Wales Albury Albury Airport
Armidale Armidale Airport
Broken Hill Broken Hill Airport
Coffs Harbour Coffs Harbour Airport [55]
Dubbo Dubbo City Regional Airport
Griffith Griffith Airport
Merimbula Merimbula Airport
Moruya Moruya Airport
Narrandera Narrandera Airport
Orange Orange Airport
Parkes Parkes Airport
Port Macquarie Port Macquarie Airport [55]
Sydney Sydney Airport Base
Wagga Wagga Wagga Wagga Airport Heavy Maintenance
Queensland Bamaga Northern Peninsula Airport
Bedourie Bedourie Airport
Birdsville Birdsville Airport
Boulia Boulia Airport
Brisbane Brisbane Airport Base
Burketown Burketown Airport
Cairns Cairns Airport Base
Charleville Charleville Airport
Cunnamulla Cunnamulla Airport
Doomadgee Doomadgee Airport
Gold Coast Gold Coast Airport [56]
Hughenden Hughenden Airport
Julia Creek Julia Creek Airport
Karumba Karumba Airport
Longreach Longreach Airport
Mornington Island Mornington Island Airport
Mount Isa Mount Isa Airport
Normanton Normanton Airport
Quilpie Quilpie Airport
Roma Roma Airport [57]
Richmond Richmond Airport
St George St George Airport
Thargomindah Thargomindah Airport
Toowoomba Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport
Townsville Townsville Airport Base
Windorah Windorah Airport
Winton Winton Airport
South Australia Adelaide Adelaide Airport Base
Ceduna Ceduna Airport
Coober Pedy Coober Pedy Airport
Mount Gambier Mount Gambier Airport
Port Lincoln Port Lincoln Airport
Tasmania Burnie Burnie Airport
Devonport Devonport Airport [58]
Hobart Hobart Airport [52]
King Island King Island Airport
Victoria Melbourne Melbourne Airport Base
Mildura Mildura Airport
Western Australia Albany Albany Airport
Carnarvon Carnarvon Airport
Esperance Esperance Airport
Monkey Mia Shark Bay Airport
Perth Perth Airport Base

Fleet

Current fleet of Rex Airlines
Saab 340B
Saab 340B+WT

Current fleet

As of July 2024, Rex Airlines operates the following aircraft:[59]

Rex Airlines fleet
Aircraft In
service 		Orders Passengers
 Notes
J Y
Total
Saab 340 57 — — 30 30 23 aircraft parked[60]
33 33
34 34
36 36
Total 57 —

Former fleet

Rex Boeing 737-800 at Canberra Airport.
Rex Fairchild Metro 23 at Sydney Airport in 2003.

Rex Airlines has previously operated the following aircraft:[citation needed]

Rex Air former fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Boeing 737-800 10 2020[61] 2024 Grounded due to administration.
Fairchild Metro 23 7 2002 2006 Inherited from Kendell Airlines.

Fleet development

Rex operates the world's largest fleet of Saab 340 aircraft.[62] The delivery of 25 ex-American Eagle Airlines Saab 340B Plus aircraft started in mid-2007 and enabled the expansion of services and the phase-out of the airline's Saab 340As, and some older B models. The 340B Plus has a quieter and more comfortable interior.

In July 2008 the company announced that all of its 340As would be phased out; however one rejoined the fleet in July 2015 after a 7-year stint with Rex's subsidiary airline Pel-Air and remains in service as of January 2020.[63][64][65]

The airline also previously operated some Fairchild Metro 23 aircraft seating 19 passengers, but the aircraft were later phased out.

The airline operated an all-Saab 340 fleet with three variants of the type until December of 2020,[65] when the airline commenced jet aircraft operations following the delivery of its first Boeing 737-800.

Incidents and accidents

  • On 21 February 2016, a Regional Express Airlines Saab 340B, registered VH-ZLA, was forced to take evasive action to avoid a glider while operating from Orange Airport. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found the Rex aircraft was climbing through 7,500 ft after departing Orange when the crew sighted the glider in "close proximity", and took evasive action.[66]
  • On 17 March 2017, the right propeller sheared off a Regional Express Saab 340B, registered VH-NRX, while operating flight ZL768 from Albury to Sydney. The pilot made a pan-pan call but was able to land the plane without incident. The ATSB after investigating found a fatigue crack in the engine's propeller mounting flange.[67]
  • 23 March 2017, at about 0942 Eastern Daylight-saving Time, a Regional Express SAAB 340B, registered VH-RXS, departed Dubbo Airport, New South Wales to operate scheduled passenger flight ZL821 to Sydney, New South Wales. At about 0944, as the aircraft climbed through about 4,300 ft, the flight crew heard several bangs from the right engine accompanied by jolts through the aircraft.[68]
  • On 29 August 2019, a Regional Express Saab 340B, registration VH-RXX, the crew received a right engine fire indication followed by a loud bang while they were shutting the engine down. The aircraft landed at the planned destination of Merimbula without further incident. The ATSB discovered that the indication and subsequent engine failure was caused by an internal oil fire weakening the turbine blades.[69]
  • On 8 May 2019, Regional Express Saab 340B aircraft, registered VH-OLM, descent below minimum safe altitude, 15 km south-west of Williamtown Aerodrome (Newcastle Airport), New South Wales. The ATSB found the flight crew had misjudged the aircraft's position relative to the aerodrome while conducting a night visual approach.[70]
  • On 20 August 2019 a Regional Express, Saab Aircraft Company 340B, registration VH-ZLX, departed Adelaide, for a regular public transport flight to Port Lincoln, South Australia. During the post flight walk around, the first officer noted that the left main outboard landing gear tyre was deflated and that a piece of the wheel was missing. Ground support personnel at Adelaide Airport subsequently located the missing section of wheel on the runway strip. An area of fatigue cracking in the wheel. It was considered likely that the fatigue crack was present at the most recent maintenance visit, however, it had not been detected.[71]
  • 6 July 2021, a Saab 340B aircraft, registered VH-ZLJ, departed Perth Airport for a scheduled passenger flight to Albany, Western Australia. At about 1623, while climbing through an altitude of 6,000 ft, and before entering icing conditions, the crew activated the engine anti-ice and wing de-ice systems. Shortly afterwards, caution lights illuminated indicating a fault in the de-ice system. After levelling off at 7,000 ft, the crew actioned the relevant abnormal checklist, but the caution lights remained on. In response, the flight crew requested a descent to 5,000 ft to exit icing conditions and decided to return to Perth. ATC instructed the crew to make a right turn. About 20 seconds after beginning the turn, the aircraft’s aerodynamic stall warning stick shakers activated. The first officer initiated the stall recovery procedure before the captain took control as pilot flying to complete the recovery. The aircraft returned to Perth, landing at 1642.[72]
  • 5 April 2022, a Regional Express SAAB 340B aircraft, registered VH-ZRK, was being prepared for an air transport flight from Melbourne, Victoria to King Island, Tasmania. The scheduled departure time was 1445 local time. Interrupted engine start and evacuation. Two passengers received minor injuries during the evacuation.[73]
  • 4 November 2022, rejected take-off involving SAAB 340, VH-ZRC, at Flinders Island Airport, Tasmania. During the take-off roll, the aircraft veered to the left and the crew detected abnormal airspeed indications before rejecting the take-off, resulting in four landing gear tyres deflating.[74]
  • 21 December 2022, SAAB 340B aircraft, registered VH-RXE, that occurred about 140 km from Perth, Western Australia. During cruise, the no. 2 engine failed, and the crew returned the aircraft to Perth.[75]

Flight school

Australian Airline Pilot Academy hangar at Wagga Wagga Airport
Australian Airline Pilot Academy Piper PA-28-161 Warrior III at Wagga Wagga
Retired Rex Saab 340B at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy, Wagga Wagga

In November 2007, Regional Express Airlines and Mangalore Airport Pty Limited created a joint venture pilot academy called the Civil Aviation Training Academy, based at Mangalore Airport in Victoria.[76] In April 2008, Regional Express Airlines fully acquired the Civil Aviation Training Academy and it was renamed to Australian Airline Pilot Academy.[77]

On 18 February 2009, Regional Express Airlines announced that the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) would be relocated from Mangalore Airport to Wagga Wagga Airport in partnership with the City of Wagga Wagga starting in April 2009.[78][79]

On 27 May 2010, the AAPA campus at Wagga Wagga Airport was officially opened by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese.[80]

On 19 November 2019, AAPA purchased ST Aerospace Academy Australia at Ballarat Airport in Victoria, taking it over as a second campus.[81]

In addition to training aircraft, the flight school has five flight simulators, including a full motion Saab 340 simulator. There is also one retired Saab 340B at Wagga Wagga used as a training aid.

Training fleet

As of December 2021, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy operates the following aircraft:[82]

Australian Airline Pilot Academy
Aircraft In
service 		Location
Cessna 152 1 Ballarat
Cessna 172S 14 Ballarat
Piper PA-28 Warrior 16 Wagga Wagga
Piper PA-44 Seminole 10 Ballarat and Wagga Wagga
Beechcraft King Air C90GTi 1 Ballarat
Beechcraft Super King Air B200 1 Wagga Wagga

See also

References

  1. ^ "Rex Airlines Fleet Details and History". Retrieved 31 July 2024 – via planespotters.net.
  2. ^ "Rex - Regional Express on ch-aviation.com". ch-aviation.com. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Organisation Structure". rex.com.au. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  4. ^ "The Saviour From Singapore: Rex" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Australian Domestic Flight Network: Qantas".
  6. ^ A 'regional' airport in Australia is broadly defined as every commercial airport that is not in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Government guarantees Rex regional flight bookings during airline's administration". The Guardian Australia. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  8. ^ a b "No buyers for Rex's regional airline two months into voluntary administration process". The Australian Business Review. 30 August 2024.
  9. ^ a b "'No obvious buyers' for Rex, claims source". Australian Aviation. 30 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Rex Airlines administrators granted extension to secure a buyer". News.com.au. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ^ Flight International 12–18 April 2005
  12. ^ "Rex Invests in Pel-Air" (Press release). Regional Express. 30 August 2005. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
  13. ^ "Rex Acquires Air Link" (Press release). Regional Express. 30 November 2005. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
  14. ^ "Rex Touches Down in Queensland" (Press release). Regional Express. 8 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Rex Warns of Looming Catastrophic Shortage of Pilots in Australia" (Press release). Regional Express. 9 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
  16. ^ "Presentation at Press Conference held on 7 November 2007" (PDF) (Press release). Regional Express. 7 November 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Rex Announces Suspension of Maryborough Service due to Pilot Shortage" (Press release). Regional Express. 5 November 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
  18. ^ "Ongoing Pilot Shortage Forces Regional Express to Temporarily Suspend 'Snowy Mountains' Service" (Press release). Regional Express. 31 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
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  31. ^ Rex Share Offer Archived 8 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine Media Release retrieved 26 September 2007.
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  33. ^ Regional Express Holdings Corporate structure Archived 4 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 12 May 2020.
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Bibliography

  • Thorn, Jim. "Interview – Michael Jones, CEO Regional Express". Australian Aviation magazine, No. 187, September 2002, pp. 30–34. Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd. ISSN 0813-0876

Media related to Rex Airlines at Wikimedia Commons

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