REX: Regional flights guaranteed by Australian Government

The Australian Federal Government is guaranteeing regional flights provided by Regional Express (REX). Travellers with bookings will either get their flights or be eligible for a refund, despite the airline being in administration.

The same does not apply to those holding bookings for capital to capital city flights. No guarantees apply for those.

The announcement was made last Thursday 15 August by Transport Minister Catherine King.

“Rex’s continuation is in the best interests of Australia – and the government is working closely with the administrators to ensure a strong regional aviation presence now and into the future,”

Catherine King, Transport Minister

Important regional routes

REX Airlines has been an important flight provider to regional areas before its venture into capital city to capital city flying which appears to have brought the operator into difficulty. REX appointed administrators in July, the second airline to do so in 2024. Tourist route operator Bonza Airlines collapsed earlier this year.

REX services passenger and freight needs on 41 routes to regional and remote communities. On 21 of these routes, it is the sole provider.

2PAXfly Takeout

There has been a lot of conjecture about if, when, and what type of government support might be offered for REX. This guarantee of flights or refunds for regional travellers seems the best way to ensure REX while in administration continues to service regional and remote routes, which are essential for those communites survival and the provision of government services to many of them.

There will be a limit on this support, so expect further announcements as more is known about where the administration of the airline is heading.

The administrators have previously said there is great interest in purchasing the airline for its regional network. Some of its routes are already government funded so that stream of income may prove attractive to potential purchasers.

It appears that the foray into interstate, capital city flying is what caused the airline’s undoing. Whether the blame lies with the management of the airline, or the unavailability of desirable take-off and landing slots out of capital cities remains to be seen.