Regional Express Considering Northern Territory Expansion

Regional Express (Rex) has announced that its Board resolved to consider commencing operations in the Northern Territory based out of Darwin.

Rex’s Deputy Chairman the Hon. John Sharp AM said:

“Following Air North’s parent company, the Bristow Group, going into Chapter 11 in the United States, many concerned stakeholders have approached Rex to ensure the long-term viability of regional air services in the Northern Territory (NT).

“The Rex Board is sympathetic to the plight of the Territorians and shares the views of theconcerned stakeholders who believe that Rex would be the best chance for the NT to have a sustainable, quality regional air service with affordable fares.”

Citing a recent example, Mr Sharp said:

“Three years ago, Rex started operations for the first time in Western Australia (WA) after winning a tender for the Perth – Albany and Perth – Esperance routes. These routes were abandoned by the previous operator on the grounds that they were highly unprofitable. Today, Rex is profitably servicing these routes with more flights, lower fares, greater passenger numbers and better reliability, at a time when the rest of the regional routes in WA are experiencing decreasing passenger numbers and rising fares.

“Rex’s current operational footprint covers all states in Australia with 60 destinations in its network serviced by over 75,000 flights a year. Rex has decades of experience in providing safe, reliable and affordable air services to regional and remote communities and we are willing to extend our unrivaled expertise to the NT should all key stakeholders welcome our presence and are willing to work co-operatively with Rex.

“I will be leading a Board delegation to the NT in the coming weeks for discussions with keystakeholders.”

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of more than 50 Saab 340 aircraft on some 1,500 weekly flights to 60 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the regional airline Regional Express, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight and charter operator) and the Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

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