Rex is launching seven daily return flights between Sydney and Canberra starting April 19, 2021. Based on demand, the carrier may increase the frequency on the route to 10 or more roundtrip flights daily.
On Wednesday (March 24, 2021), Rex announced the launch of seven daily return flights between Canberra and Sydney from April 19, 2020. One-way fares on the route start at only $99, and based on demand, the airline may increase the route frequency to over 10 daily return flights. The new service will end the previous monopoly on the route which served nearly one million customers annually before the pandemic. In today’s announcement, Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Honorable John Sharp AM, said,
“At a time when many small businesses and households are still struggling to make ends meet, our fares will make a world of difference to the community that routinely sees one-way fares close to $1,000 for this short sector. Rex has a war chest of $150 million funded by private equity for domestic services and we will not be deterred in our goal of bringing safe reliable air services at affordable fares to all major cities in Australia. We believe that on the Sydney – Canberra route alone Rex will be bringing annual savings of between $60 - $100 million to commuters when numbers return to pre-COVID levels, such is the level of fare gouging being practiced. Rex’s affordable fares will greatly stimulate more business and leisure traffic between Sydney and the national capital as the industry continues to recover.”
Also commenting on the new route announcement, Canberra Airport’s CEO, Stephen Byron, added,
“We are pleased to welcome REX to Canberra, which is a positive sign they are making an investment in a growing and expanding region. This new Canberra - Sydney route will offer more choice for our travellers, stimulate jobs and grow the air travel market which is a win-win for us all.”
Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline. The carrier operates a fleet of 60 Saab 340s and four Boeing 737-800NGs to 62 destinations throughout all Australian states. The 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. Rex will have a lounge at Canberra Airport, complementing their existing Sydney lounge.
Source: Rex