Three years after entering Australia’s domestic aviation sector, Rex has announced a new milestone: tri-weekly flights between Adelaide and Perth. These flights, starting June 28, 2024, will be operated by Embraer E-190 jets from Rex’s group member, National Jet Express (NJE). This expansion marks Rex’s 12th domestic service, covering major cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, and the Gold Coast.
NJE Director Anthony Gibara emphasised that the new route aims to enhance competition and service reliability. “This is terrific news for Perth and Adelaide travelers because more operators mean more competition, but in the case of Rex, it also means better service and reliability,” he stated. Gibara highlighted the poor performance of other carriers on this route, noting that almost 85 flights were canceled by Virgin and Qantas in the first four months of 2024, with Virgin’s on-time performance notably poor.
The introduction of the new route comes just days after Rex’s Melbourne-Perth launch. Gibara assured travelers that the Adelaide-Perth service would soon expand beyond three flights per week. The new flights are now on sale, offering more than 100 seats per flight, filling a crucial capacity gap and stimulating traffic volumes on this key domestic route.
South Australia’s Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, welcomed the new service, anticipating it would entice more visitors from Western Australia, the state’s fourth largest interstate market. “The commencement of an extra three flights a week from Perth to Adelaide is timed perfectly to coincide with the start of WA school holidays,” she said, encouraging Western Australians to explore South Australia’s attractions.
Western Australia’s Deputy Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Tourism and Transport, Rita Saffioti, also praised the new route, highlighting its potential to boost tourism and provide more travel options. “This announcement will also be warmly welcomed by tourism and hospitality operators who will benefit from more people visiting WA,” she said.
Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox commended Rex for its consistent support of the Adelaide market, including regional links. “Today’s announcement builds on the introduction of services from Adelaide to Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane over the past three years,” Cox noted, expressing optimism about Rex’s growth in the domestic market.
Perth Airport’s chief commercial and aviation officer, Kate Holsgrove, echoed this sentiment, noting Rex’s confidence in the Perth market. “The introduction of Rex’s new interstate routes from our Terminal 2 is a sure sign of their confidence in the Perth market,” she said, adding that these routes provide Western Australians with more travel options.
The new service’s timing aligns with the start of school holidays in Western Australia, and shortly thereafter, in South Australia, making it an ideal choice for family travel. All fares will include checked baggage and refreshments, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.
Rex, Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline, operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800NG and Saab 340 aircraft to 56 destinations nationwide. The Rex Group also includes subsidiaries like Pel-Air Aviation, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy, and the propeller maintenance organization Australian Aerospace Propeller Maintenance. Additionally, Rex holds a 50% share in National Jet Express (NJE), a premier Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO), charter, and freight operator.
Source Rex.com.au