Neville Howell Chief Executive Officer
Neville Howell has over 40 years of aviation experience and has been with the Company since its inception in August 2002. He operated the Saab 340 as a First Officer and Captain for over 18 years for both Hazelton Airlines and Regional Express. Prior to his role as General Manager Flight Operations (GMFO) and Chief Pilot, Mr Howell was Manager Training & Checking and Deputy Chief Pilot. He is an extensively qualified and experienced simulator and aircraft instructor and has held positions as both Training and Check Captain. Mr Howell was the Chief Flying Instructor and Chief Pilot for the first integrated pilot training academy in Australia and has provided cadet pilot training for both domestic and international carriers. He is a qualified lecturer in several aviation subjects and has a Diploma of Aviation. He has held many Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegations since 1984. As GMFO Mr Howell was responsible for all facets of the Company's flight operations and all operational matters affecting the safety of flight operations. Mr Howell became Chief Operating Officer in July 2014 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in June 2024. As Chief Executive Officer he is responsible for Regional Express operations including flight operations, continuing airworthiness, maintenance control, airport operations and the human factors group. Mr Howell is the Accountable Manager for the Regional Express Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
Warrick Lodge General Manager, Network Strategy
Mr Lodge manages the team responsible for scheduling, pricing, revenue management and commercial analysis. His duties include the monitoring of network performance and analysis of both existing and new market opportunities. Mr Lodge has 33 years of airline experience in the specialised areas of scheduling, pricing and revenue management and held the position of Manager Network Planning with Kendell Airlines, having joined that company in 1992. Mr Lodge has been with Rex since its inception in 2002 and is a member of the Rex Management Committee.
Irwin Tan General Manager, Corporate Services
Irwin Tan's background was originally in genetic research after graduating with first-class honours in biotechnology from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Mr Tan left the field of genetic research when he joined Morrison Express Logistics in 1999 and then Singapore Airlines in 2001. He was later transferred to Singapore Airlines Cargo as an executive where he took on various appointments in product development, advertising, sales and airline alliances before taking on the role of Regional Marketing Manager for the South-West Pacific region in 2003. Mr Tan joined Rex in July 2005 and was appointed the Company Secretary on 7 September 2005. Mr Tan is a member of the Rex Management Committee.
Richard Kwan Deputy General Manager, Corporate Services
Richard Kwan has been appointed as a member of the Management Committee since 2022. Prior to his current role, he has held various roles and responsibilities within the Corporate Services and Network Strategy departments since joining the company in 2011. He has also held the role of Company Secretary since 2016. Richard has a Bachelor of Aviation (Honours) and Master of Commerce from UNSW Sydney and is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Paula Tran Human Resources Manager
Paula Tran brings over 25 years of extensive experience in Human Resources (HR), having worked across a broad range of industries including electronics, forestry, information technology and energy. She joined Rex in 2010 and has held a variety of roles within the HR function. Since 2019, Paula has served as the Human Resources Manager for the Rex Group. Prior to joining Rex, Paula operated her own consultancy, providing HR generalist advice with a focus on training and development to clients within the corporate sector. In her role as Human Resources Manager, Paula leads the HR team in developing and executing people strategies and processes that align with the organisation’s business objectives. Paula is a member of the Management Committee.
Chris Hine Manager Training and Checking
Mr Hine has over 30 years of aviation experience, including 15 years as a First Officer and Captain of Metroliner and Saab 340 aircraft and is a well-accomplished and knowledgeable instructor. He has been with the Company since its inception in August 2002 and is the Manager Training and Checking responsible for the training and checking of all flight and cabin crew. Preceding his current role, he has occupied the positions of Chief Operating Officer, General Manager Flight Operations & Chief Pilot, Group Flight Operations Advisor and Executive Chairman and accountable manager of the Australian Airline Pilot Academies in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat. Mr Hine has experience in flight operations, maintenance control, airport operations and safety management and regulatory affairs. Prior to Rex he worked for Kendell Airlines from 1995, during which time he held various Check and Training Captain positions. Mr Hine has also had experience as a lecturer in Cockpit Systems Management for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil Aviation) degree at the University of South Australia.
Mayooran Thanabalasingham General Manager, Information Technology & Communications
Mr Thanabalasingam leads a team of Information Technology (IT) professionals responsible for ensuring day-to-day operations of the airline. With over 25 years of experience and an extensive background in information technology, he has managed a range of IT projects and initiatives for Rex including the Internet Booking Engine, the Amend Booking Engine, Web Check-in and numerous Mobile/iPad applications. Mr Thanabalasingam has a Masters of Business Administration (Computing) from Charles Sturt University. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Management (Information Technology) as well as an Associate Diploma of Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering. He commenced with Rex in April 2004. Mr Thanabalasingam is a member of the Rex Management Committee.
Dale Hall Group Engineering Advisor
Mr Hall has been involved in aviation engineering for more than 40 years and has many years of experience in various senior management and regulatory positions. He is a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and qualified aviation auditor. Mr Hall returned to Rex as the Engineering Advisor to the Chairman’s Office in 2021. Before his return, he had previously held several roles in the Rex Group for over 15 years, including Continuing Airworthiness Manager, Part 145 Accountable Manager and General Manager of Engineering. Mr Hall is the 145 Accountable Manager of Australian Aero Propeller Maintenance, and has held senior regulatory/management positions in Jetstar and was the General Manager and a Director of Sikorsky Australia (Lockheed Martin Australia). Mr Hall is a member of the Rex Management Committee.
Mark Burgess General Manager Engineering – 145 Accountable Manager
Mr Burgess has over 40 years engineering experience and has been with the Company since its inception in 2002. Mr Burgess’ career began as an engineering apprentice in the British Armed Forces where he maintained helicopters for 12 years and left as a Senior Rank. He continued his career in the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, Scotland with CHC Scotia which also included Line support for British Midland Regional aircraft. He migrated to Australia in 2001 to work for Kendell Airlines in Wagga Wagga and became Production Leader coordinating maintenance and manpower on heavy checks for Saab 340 aircraft. In 2008 Mr Burgess moved to Adelaide as the Line Maintenance Supervisor and oversaw the expansion of Rex maintenance activities from line to heavy maintenance. He is currently the General Manager Engineering and the Accountable Manager for the REX 145 and is a member of the REX Management Committee.
David Brooksby National Airports Manager
David Brooksby commenced the role of National Airports Manager for Rex in 2010. Mr Brooksby has held previous senior roles in a management and operational capacity at each of Rex's major airports including Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne since joining the company in April 2006. Mr Brooksby has also previously held the Chief Operating Officer role at former group subsidiary airline Air Link. Prior to commencing employment with Rex, Mr Brooksby worked as a contracted outport agent with his family's business at Mount Gambier airport where his father is the Company's longest-standing contracted ground handling agent, having been contracted by Rex/Kendell since 1982 to provide ground handling services. Mr Brooksby graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Management in 2003. Mr Brooksby is a member of the Rex Management Committee.
Paul Fisher General Manager, Flight Operations and Chief Pilot
Mr Fisher has over 35 years of aviation experience and has been with the Company since its inception in August 2002. He has operated the Saab 340 aircraft as a First Officer and Captain for over 20 years with both Hazelton Airlines and Regional Express. Prior to his role as General Manager Flight Operations (GMFO) and Head of Flying Operations, Mr Fisher held various roles within the Training and Checking department, including Adelaide Flight Operations Manager, Flight Standards Manager and the Training & Checking Manager / Deputy Chief Pilot. He holds multiple Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegations. As GMFO he is responsible for all aspects of the Company’s flight operations and all operational matters related to flight safety. Mr Fisher is a member of the Rex Management Committee.
Esha D'souza General Manager, Human Factors
Esha leads the Human Factors Department responsible for Safety, Compliance, Quality Assurance and Security across the Rex Group. She is an experienced Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor, has a Bachelor of Science (Aviation) and is currently completing her Masters in Aviation Management. Since joining Rex in 2019, she has held a number of key roles including Group Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager (Flight Operations), Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) Safety Manager, Engineering Auditor, and Engineering Safety Manager. As an experienced Human Factors professional, Esha represents the Rex Group in industry forums, working closely with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and other stakeholders to enhance aviation safety.