Rex has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a lessor for the acquisition of two additional Boeing 737-800NGs, increasing their 737 fleet to eight aircraft by late August. The aircraft are schedule to enter revenue service for the carrier on domestic routes in September 2021.
Today (June 29, 2021), Rex announced that they have signed a letter of Intent (LOI) with a lessor for the acquisition of two additional Boeing 747-800NGs on lease, expanding their 737 fleet to eight aircraft. The additional aircraft are expected to be delivered by late August for entry into domestic service for the carrier in September 2021. Currently, Rex operates 737 service from Melbourne to Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra, as well as between Sydney and Gold Coast. The new aircraft will allow the carrier to launch new routes to other capital cities, large regional centers and popular leisure destinations.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Rex’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. John Sharp AM, said,
“It was only in November last year that we confirmed financing for Rex’s foray into the domestic market and within six months we have already obtained approval for the jet operations on our Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), recruited and trained crews and engineers, procured six aircraft and started operations on five domestic routes, with the first services commencing on 1 March 2021.
“Rex’s ability to manage all of these challenges successfully and in such a short period of time is unparalleled in Australia and is a testament to Rex’s remarkable efficiency. Rex’s two-decade track record has shown that Australians can look forward to safe, reliable services at affordable fares, delivered with Rex’s trademark country hospitality. Consequently, Australians now do not have to choose between full service at inflated prices and poor and unreliable services at lower prices.
“We hope to lease another two aircraft to take our fleet size to 10 before the end of this year as foreshadowed in our plan announced last September. Rex invites expressions of interest (EOI) from lessors for these two aircraft as well as from cities that are keen to finally put an end to the price gouging they have been subject to for too long.”
Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline. The carrier operates a fleet of 60 Saab 340s and six Boeing 737-800NGs, serving 61 destinations throughout all Australian states. T he Rex Group also includes wholly-owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (an airfreight aeromedical and charter operator) as well as two pilot academies, Australia Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.
Source: Rex