Rex has confirmed the withdrawal of services from five regional centres, including Bathurst, Grafton, Lismore, Kangaroo Island, and Ballina due to what the airline says is the result of “Qantas’ well-publicised predatory actions.”
The domestic carrier says flights to these five centres will cease on June 30, coinciding with the end of the Federal Government’s Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program, except for the Ballina route, which will terminate on July 2.
Two other NSW regional routes are pending further review.
Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said, “Rex has faithfully serviced most of these routes for 20 years and some of them for more than 30 years by Rex’s predecessor Kendell and Hazelton.
“So it is with a really heavy heart that we have to announce the cessation of services in an effort to improve Rex’s financial performance. Qantas’ well-publicised predatory actions on Rex’s regional routes have meant that Rex no longer has the ability to cross-subsidise these marginal routes.
“It is unfortunate that these regional communities are the collateral damage of Qantas’ bullying and heartless behaviour. This behaviour is all the more unconscionable after receiving over $2 billion in federal bailouts over the past 2 years.”
Rex also announced a week ago that it will be ceasing services between Sydney and Canberra from Monday, 30 May with Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM saying “Unfortunately, the entrance of an additional operator and the very high charges imposed by Sydney Airport from 1 June 2022 means that the route is no longer viable for Rex.”
Rex’s remaining regional network will be closely monitored, with the airline saying further adjustments could be announced in the coming months.
Earlier in May, Rex signed a Letter of Intent with Delta Air Lines, confirming the parties’ intention to enter into a ‘definitive commercial agreement’.
The partnership agreement will see Rex and Delta providing reciprocal interline ticketing and baggage services to each other commencing during the third quarter of 2022.
Rex’s passengers will be able to connect seamlessly on Delta’s daily, non-stop flights between Sydney and Los Angeles, a frequency which will increase to 10 flights a week beginning December 18, 2022, and from there to nearly 50 cities in the U.S.
Head to www.rex.com.au for the latest schedule updates.