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Regional Express named as preferred tenderer for WA regulated air route

written by australianaviation.com.au | January 4, 2018

A Regional Express (Rex) Saab 340 aircraft.
A Regional Express (Rex) Saab 340 aircraft.

Regional Express (Rex) is set to expand its presence in Western Australia in 2018 after being announced as the preferred tenderer for a state government regulated air route.

The WA Department of Transport said it had nominated Rex as the preferred airline for Perth-Canarvon-Monkey Mia services.

The route is currently operated by Skippers Aviation, with the deed of arrangement set to expire on July 1 2018.

The WA Department of Transport said a five-year deed of agreement with the State Government was expected to be signed in early 2018, subject to successful negotiations. Details of flight schedules and air fares would be announced after the deed of agreement was signed.

Rex said in a statement it “cannot release any further information until the deed of agreement is finalised”.

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Although Skippers Aviation will no longer operate Perth-Canarvon-Monkey Mia services, it has retained the Perth-Northern Goldfields route, which covers Laverton, Leonora, Meekatharra, Mt Magnet and Wiluna.

WA Department of Transport executive director for transport strategy and reform Peter Ryan said the two preferred airlines had a good track record in providing aviation services in WA.

“The Carnarvon/Monkey Mia and the Northern Goldfields air routes are regulated by the State Government to ensure efficient, effective and regular air services occur on these routes,” Ryan said.

“Once appointed, the airlines operating on the regulated air routes must meet a range of a requirements set by government, including the provision of regular route statistics and engagement with local communities and stakeholders to ensure they are meeting community needs and government expectations.”

Rex began flying in WA in February 2016, when it commenced flights from Perth to Albany and Esperance with Saab 340 equipment under a five-year deed of agreement with the State Government.

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Comments (5)

  • Mac Carter

    says:

    Hopefully this new contract might lead to some more modern aircraft added to their fleet.

  • Gerrit

    says:

    Their aircraft are too small. The maximum luggage they will take is 15kg per passenger. That is too little if one is connecting to an international flight in Perth. My son was flying to Port Moresby last week and needed to take extra luggage so he rang Rex. They refused to take it! Sorry that is NOT a decent air service.

  • Aubrey

    says:

    Gerrit. if that happened then kick up a stink. If your son was connecting to his Port Moresby flight within 24 hours then he should have been allowed 20kg, or full fare gives you 23kg http://www.rex.com.au/FlightInfo/BaggageAllowance.aspx

  • AlanH

    says:

    I agree. What is it about the regionals in Australia (not limited to Rex)? Are they interested in offering a real service to their rural passengers or not? If a passenger is holding an international ticket then it is reasonable to expect that the regionals will accommodate the international luggage limits for that passenger too. Rural passengers should not be discriminated against simply because the regional airlines dictate restrictive luggage limits on them. Are they providing a service or not? And there is no excuse to clam it is all in the interests of aircraft weight limits and passenger safety. That’s a furphy! If it comes to that, book one less passenger for that flight. It would hardly bankrupt them. If regional airlines are so concerned about luggage weights then they really need to consider weighing passengers too! How do you think they would go with that? This is farcical and too dictatorial by the regionals. They need to consider putting their paying clients first.

  • Scott

    says:

    Rex allow 20kg’s if connecting to an international flight and an additional piece up to 15kg total at $7.70 per kg, as per the Regional Express website.
    Baggage weights are strictly enforced to ensure the plane gets off the runway, and as for passenger weights, they have male and female weight ranges that are factored in to the overall weight.
    The sheer size of the aircraft they operate and the small holds regional aircraft have dictate what they can allow, it’s not a free for all money making exercise or an opportunity to be difficult to their customers.
    If regional towns want big jet convenience, then support the airlines and fly more often and you’ll get a big jet.

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