The great Australian domestic fare war continues with Rex announcing it will begin flying between Melbourne and Canberra from 10 June, with fares starting from just $69 one way.
Rex has announced it will begin flying between Melbourne and Canberra from June 10, operating a twice-daily return service on a Boeing 737-800NG jet.
The $69 one-way economy fares are $123 cheaper than the lowest airfare available in May, according to official Federal Government statistics.
Rex says the new Melbourne-Canberra service will bring 200,000 annual seats to the route and represents the latest addition to the airline’s rapidly expanding domestic network.
“This announcement cements Rex’s commitment to Canberra and the region, now servicing our two biggest markets – Sydney and Melbourne, and provides choice and a tremendous opportunity for the people of Canberra and Melbourne,” said Stephen Byron, Canberra Airport Chief Executive Officer.
Tell me more…
The news follows last month’s launch of the Sydney-Canberra route where Rex operates seven return flights each weekday.
More than a million people travel between the two capital cities each year pre-COVID and Rex says return flights on Qantas can cost more than $900.
“Qantas has perfected the art of price gouging, ripping off passengers with sky-high fares on a route with only a weak competitor to keep it honest,” Rex Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said.
“This will now change with Rex’s entry. We are sure that both Qantas and Virgin Australia will immediately match our fares as they have done every time. We estimate that Rex’s entry will save Canberrans over $150 million a year in lower fares once travel returns to pre-COVID levels. This is on top of an equivalent amount for the Sydney-Canberra route,” Mr Sharp said.
“The savings will make a big difference to many families during this trying period and will be funnelled into the local economy and create more jobs. The cheap fares will add a further boost to the tourism and hospitality industries in the ACT and make it really affordable for Canberrans to visit friends and family and attend sporting events in Melbourne.”
Earlier this month, Rex also unveiled “cheaper than the bus” one-way $39 fare between Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine), which the airline claims is the lowest fare the two capital cities have ever seen for full-service flights.
The deets
The new Melbourne/Canberra $69 fare includes free checked baggage and onboard refreshments as Rex is a full-service airline ‘built on a bedrock of country-style hospitality’.
The airline offers a three-class seating option – Business, Rextra Legroom and Economy and offers a COVID Refund policy for new bookings, which guarantees full refunds for any passenger affected by COVID-related cancellations, re-scheduling, border closures and travel restrictions.
