REX AIRLINES: Two new Boeing 737-800NG jets to arrive in June/July 2023

REX or officially Regional Express Airlines, the third player in Australia’s domestic market along with Qantas/Jetstar and Virgin Australia, is to expand its current 737 fleet to 9 with two new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft from June 2023. Well, it’s signed a Letter of Intent, at least.

With currently restricted capacity in the Australian market, this boost to its fleet will be opportune. We don’t know whether they will be boosting capacity on current routes, or introducing new ones.

Ever the one to sink the boot into its competitors, Deputy Chairman John Sharp says:

“The travelling public has been crying out for our reliable and affordable services in the light
of the shameless price gouging by Qantas and these new additions will help to alleviate the
situation.”

Rex Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM

It should be noted that the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), which keeps an eye on such things, concluded recently that there had NOT been any price gouging, but that it would keep monitoring. With airfares around double pre-pandemic levels, I think we can be the judge of that!

Background

REX began flying on capital city routes in 2021 and has consistently been the most reliable airline in terms of on-time departures, cancellations and luggage arrivals.

Rex flies 61 Saab 340s on 50 regional routes, as well as servicing capital city routes with its currently 7 strong fleet of 737s. It represents roughly 5% of the airline market in Australia, making it a much smaller operation than its major competitors. But then, Qantas has 75 737s, and Virgin Australia has 65, so in terms of market share, it isn’t doing badly.

With about 5 per cent of the market, the airline has a significantly smaller operation than competitors Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia, with 75 and 65 737s respectively. It’s also recently paid AU$48 million for fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) airline National Jet Express.

2PAXfly Takeout

I have yet to fly with REX on its relatively recent inter-capital city routes. I was booked on several flights in 2021, but then, lockdown.

My bet is they will be carefully studying how their competitors increase capacity before they make that decision about new routes versus increased capacity on existing routes.

It would also be good if they actually had a valid Frequent Flyer scheme, rather than their 10 flights giving you one free current scheme.