Media Releases


Year 2007

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Rex Reaffirms Promise to Stranded O'Connors Passengers
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), today reaffirmed earlier promises that it would do all possible to help any passengers facing uncertainties regarding their travel plans following confirmation today that O’Connor Airlines has been grounded.

Rex Announces Commencement of Cadet Pilot Training at Civil Aviation Training Academy
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), today is pleased to announce its historic first intake of Rex Pilot Cadets commenced training at the Civil Aviation Training Academy (CATA) on 10 December.

Rex is the Sustainable Small Company of the Year
Monday, December 3, 2007
Regional Express (Rex), Australia’s largest independent regional airline, has been named the Sustainable Small Company of the Year by Ethical Investor magazine at the 7th Australian Sustainability Awards held in Melbourne on 30 November 2007.

Rex Reassures O'Connors Passengers
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) today said that it stood ready to help any passengers who faced uncertainties regarding their future travel plans following the announcement that O’Connor Airlines has been placed into voluntary administration.

Rex Welcomes Governments Regional Airline Pilot Initiative
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) today responded to the Deputy Prime Minister’s policy announcement designed to help overcome the acute shortage of regional airline pilots by offering a reimbursement of 25% of the training cost provided the pilot stays at least two years with a regional airline.

Rex Discloses Retirement of its Managing Director
Monday, November 12, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) disclosed that its Managing Director Geoff Breust had given notice of his resignation on 7 November and is currently serving a four-week notice period prior to his retirement.

Rex Executive Chairman extends invitation to meet with Orange Mayor
Thursday, November 8, 2007
In response to the Mayor of Orange City Council, Mr John Davis’ request to meet with Management of Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), Rex Executive Chairman, Mr Lim Kim Hai will fly from Singapore to Sydney to meet with the Mayor next week.

Pilot Shortage in Australia and Rex Road Map for Recovery
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Rex press conference on the subject of the pilot shortage and its plans for overcoming this very serious threat.

Rex Announces Suspension of Maryborough Service due to Pilot Shortage
Monday, November 5, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) today announced the suspension until March 2008 of its recently commenced Brisbane – Maryborough services due to on-going pilot shortages.

Rex and Mangalore Airport Announce Creation of Pilot Academy
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) and Mangalore Airport Pty Limited (MAPL) announced today that they have signed an MOU for a Joint Venture to create a new Professional Pilot Academy to be named the Civil Aviation Training Academy (CATA). This Academy will be situated at Mangalore Airport, Victoria, one and a half hours from Melbourne CBD, and is expected to receive its first batch of 20 students on 10 December 2007.

Rex Awarded Regional Airline of the Year 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Regional Express (Rex), Australia’s largest independent regional airline, has been named CAPA (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation) Regional Airline of the Year 2007.

Ongoing Pilot Shortage Forces Regional Express to Temporarily Suspend 'Snowy Mountains' Service
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) today announced that it will temporarily suspend its single return service which operates six times per week between Sydney and the Snowy Mountains (Cooma). The service will be suspended from 19 November 2007 to 18 May 2008.

Regional Express to Increase Fuel Surcharge
Friday, October 26, 2007
The upward trend in fuel price has forced Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) to increase its fuel surcharge by $3.00 (including GST). Effective for all sales from 1 November 2007, Rex’s fuel surcharge will increase from $24.00 to $27.00 per sector.

Rex Warns of Looming Catastrophic Shortage of Pilots in Australia
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) today warned that Australia is facing a severe shortage of pilots and that this will turn into a crisis in 12 months time as demand by the larger airlines intensifies to cope with their unprecedented expansion plans.

Rex Touches Down in Queensland
Monday, October 8, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) today celebrates not only its inaugural flight between Brisbane and Maryborough but also entry into Queensland.

Rex Launches Pilot Cadet Scheme
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) announced today that it is launching a cadet scheme that is without precedent in Australia for aspiring pilots who would like the opportunity to fly with a leading regional airline.

Rex Calls on O'Connor Airlines to Substantiate Allegations
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) has called on Leigh O’Connor, Managing Director O’Connor Airlines, to substantiate comments he made to Southern Cross Broadcasting on 25 September 2007, in which he made allegations of unfair competition and price wars undertaken by Rex as the cause for his withdrawal from Whyalla.

Rex Gives Another Million to Drought-Affected Communities
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Regional Express (Rex), Australia’s largest independent regional airline, will provide more drought aid for affected-communities as low rainfall in several parts of Australia continues one of Australia’s worst droughts.

Rex Open Day in Maryborough: 29 September 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) and Maryborough City Council will co-host a special Rex Family Open Day this Saturday 29 September 2007 at Maryborough Airport to celebrate commencement of Rex’s services to Maryborough from 7 October 2007.

Rex Receives Parkes Submission
Friday, September 21, 2007
Mr John Sharp, Deputy Chairman of Regional Express, said today that the Rex Board had received a formal submission from Parkes Shire Council. The submission proposes a partnership agreement which reverses Council’s earlier intention to raise the airport tax and now guarantees a freeze on the current Parkes Airport passenger charges for a period of five years subject to a commitment by Rex of airport revenue increases of at least equivalent to CPI.

Rex Increases Burnie to Melbourne Services Again
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Twelve months ago, Burnie City Council, Burnie Airport Corporation and Regional Express Airlines (Rex) entered into a special and historic partnership arrangement which resulted in Rex introducing more flights and a much improved schedule between Burnie Airport and Melbourne.

Rex and Air Link Schedule Changes
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Future Rex and Air Link schedule changes at Dubbo have been explained by Regional Express (Rex).

Rex Clarifies Position on Parkes Service
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) seeks to clarify some statements made in the press by Parkes council concerning Rex’s position.

Rex Connects Lismore and Brisbane
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), will soon commence services between Lismore and Brisbane, with the first flight to take off on Saturday, October 13, 2007.

Rex Withdrawal from Parkes
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) has confirmed it has advised Parkes Shire Council that it proposes to withdraw services from the route.

Rex Applauds Government's Guarantee of Access to Sydney Airport
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), has applauded the Federal Government’s decision to guarantee access and pricing for regional airlines using Sydney Airport.

Rex Withdraws from West Wyalong
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) today announced that it will cease operating its twice weekly service from West Wyalong to Sydney from 28th September 2007. The last service will operate on Thursday 27th September.

Rex Boosts Whyalla Flights
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Regional Express, Rex, has scheduled additional flights between Adelaide and Whyalla in the wake of the withdrawal of O’Connor Airlines from the route.

Rex Announces FY07 Unaudited Results and Dividend Attributable to Members
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) announced a group net profit after tax of $23.6m, an increase of 50.4% over last year.

Rex Adds More Flights to Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier
Monday, August 27, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) has added further flights to Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier from Adelaide as part of its continuing growth in South Australia.

Rex Supports Skilled Migration for Aircraft Engineers
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) has applauded the Federal Government’s announcement that occupations in the aircraft maintenance engineer category have been added to the Migration Occupants Demand List.

Regional Express Airlines Comes to Brisbane and Maryborough
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), will commence services from Brisbane Airport on Sunday 7 October 2007 with a new service to Maryborough.

Rex Announces Purchase of 5 Saab 340B Aircraft
Monday, July 30, 2007
Regional Express Holdings (Rex) announced today that it had purchased 5 Saab 340B aircraft. These aircraft were previously operating in Rex’s fleet on a lease arrangement and have just come off lease.

Rex Adelaide Lounge a Tribute to Pro Hart
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
South Australian regional airline Regional Express (Rex) has paid tribute to the late Pro Hart with the naming of its Rex Lounge at Adelaide Airport in his honour.

Rex Announces Purchase of Remaining 25% of Pel Air
Friday, June 29, 2007
Regional Express Holdings (Rex) announced today that the Rex Group had purchased the remaining 25% of Pel Air Aviation Pty Ltd making Pel Air a wholly owned subsidiary in the Rex Group of Companies.

Rex Griffith - Melbourne Service Launches Monday
Friday, June 29, 2007
The inaugural Regional Express (Rex) service from Griffith to Melbourne commences this coming Monday (2 July).

Rex Committed To Mount Gambier
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Regional Express has indicated that it will ensure Mount Gambier is fully served with air services following the decision by O’Connor Airlines to cease Mount Gambier – Melbourne services.

District Council And Rex Strike Partnership For More Flights
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula and Regional Express (Rex) have agreed to jointly invest in the air services between Port Lincoln and Adelaide which will result in the airline introducing a Port Lincoln overnight service.

Rex Adds Flights On Adelaide - Mount Gambier Route
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Following its announcement of the new Griffith-Melbourne route, Regional Express (Rex) has also announced improvements to its Adelaide – Mount Gambier service with the introduction of early morning and late evening flights from Adelaide starting Monday 2 July 2007.

Rex and Griffith City Council Unveil Melbourne Air Service
Monday, June 4, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) will commence a new service linking Griffith with Melbourne from 2 July.

Rex Announces Continued Growth in 3rd Quarter FY07
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) announced a revised group net profit forecast of above 40% growth for its full financial year over the previous period.

District Council And Rex Renew Partnership For Coober Pedy Air Services For 3 Years
Monday, May 28, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) and the District Council of Coober Pedy have agreed to renew the partnership to further improve the Coober Pedy to Adelaide air service and grow passenger numbers to record levels. The new three year partnership will commence from the 1st July 2007.

Rex Prepared To Invest In Additional Aircraft For Port Lincoln Service
Monday, May 14, 2007
In response to a call by the Member for Grey, Mr Barry Wakelin MP, for the District Council and Rex to work together so that Rex could introduce more flights, Rex confirms it is ready to take up the challenge if the District Council was ready to adopt a true partnership approach to the matter.

Rex Applauds Enroute Charges Rebate Scheme
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Australia’s largest regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), has applauded the Federal Government’s decision to assist regional air services by continuing the Enroute Charges Rebate scheme for another four years as announced in the Budget by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Mark Vaile MP.

Rex Lowers Discount Fares for Broken Hill
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) has lowered its discount fares on services to both Adelaide and Sydney from Broken Hill.

First of Rex New Aircraft Arrives in Wagga Wagga
Monday, April 30, 2007
The first of 25 Saab 340B Plus aircraft to join the Rex fleet arrived in Australia today.

Vaile Promotes Taree Air Service
Friday, April 27, 2007
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, today encouraged residents of the Manning Valley to support the new air services provided by Regional Express airlines.

Rex Open Day: Saturday 28 April 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) and Greater Taree City Council will co-host a special Rex Family Open Day this Saturday 28 April 2007 at Taree Airport.

Rex Joins Calls for Government Explanation on Why Qantas Awarded Defence Travel Contract without Tender
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) has called on the government to stop insisting that Qantas remains on regional routes if they are not commercially viable for Qantas.

Regional Express to cease Olympic Dam services from 2 July 2007.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) will discontinue its regular airline services between Adelaide and Olympic Dam from 2 July 2007.

Rex Calls On Government Not To Force Qantas To Remain In Regional Routes It Finds Unviable
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) has called on the government to stop insisting that Qantas remains on regional routes if they are not commercially viable for Qantas.

Rex Group Further Improves on Results
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) has announced further profit growth for the half year to 31 December 2006.

Rex Launches Direct Flights between Broken Hill and Sydney
Friday, February 23, 2007
Regional Express (Rex) will introduce a new direct service between Broken Hill and Sydney from 26 March 2007 effectively doubling seats and frequency as part of a renewed agreement with Broken Hill City Council.

Rex Reduces Fuel Surcharge
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Australia’s largest regional airline Regional Express (Rex) announced today that it would be reducing its fuel surcharge to $24 per sector inclusive of GST.

Rex Takes Further Stake and Controlling Interest in Pel – Air
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) today announced it had acquired a further 25 percent holding in Pel – Air Pty Limited bringing its stake in the air freight and charter operator to 75 percent.