Article content
SYDNEY Australian airline Regional Express Holdings Ltd (Rex) is not doing as well as it would like on the highly competitive Sydney-Melbourne route, where it is offering A$39 ($30.38) fares on most flights, its deputy chairman said on Wednesday.
The once regional airline in March expanded into big-city routes to compete against Qantas Airways Ltd and Virgin Australia taking advantage of cut-priced aircraft leases, starting with one of the world’s busiest domestic routes from Sydney to Melbourne.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or Australia s Rex hopes $30 fares lure passengers to Sydney-Melbourne route Back to video
Share
Regional Express is poised to break Qantas’ current monopoly on the Sydney-Canberra route with the launch of its own flights to the capital city starting 19 April.
The ambitious plan will match Qantas busy schedule with seven return Rex flights each day; fares will go on sale later this week from AUD99 one-way.
Rex is expected to begin Sydney-Canberra flights using its workhorse 33-seat all-economy Saab 340B turboprops, but with the scope to swap in the larger Boeing 737 jets – with eight seats in business class and 168 in economy – during the morning and afternoon peak hours according to demand.
This is the same approach adopted by Qantas, which flies a mix of Boeing 717 jets and Dash 8 turboprops.
Regional Express begins Sydney-Melbourne flights amid perfect pandemic opportunity
SatSaturday 6
updated
SatSaturday 6
Rex has announced it will fly between cities Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
(
Share
Print text only
Cancel
A new airline is trying to muscle in on Australia s ultra-competitive Sydney-to-Melbourne route, but its prospects of cracking the market open depends on who you talk to.
Key points:
However, it is expanding to include major metro markets
Some argue Australia is unable to sustain a third major domestic carrier
Regional Express, also known as Rex, launched direct flights between Australia s two biggest cities on Monday, creating competition for Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Posted
2 March 2021 09:00
The Gold Coast will be the first Queensland destination serviced by Rex Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 NG jet aircraft as the regional carrier spreads its wings to major city routes across Australia.
In time for the busy Easter period, Rex is launching direct services between the Gold Coast and Melbourne from 29 March and the Gold Coast and Sydney from 1 April.
Rex will be launching with two return services per day on each route in time for the Easter peak travel period. Launch fares will be available for $79 between the Gold Coast and Melbourne and $69 between the Gold Coast and Sydney.