Regional Express adds Kangaroo Island to community fare scheme

A Regional Express (Rex) Saab 340 aircraft.

Selected airfares between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island on Regional Express (Rex) will drop by 30 per cent or more from the regular base fare as a result of the island joining the regional carrier’s community fare scheme.

An agreement signed between Rex and the Kangaroo Island Council until 30 June 2023 has paved the way for Rex to introduce a $99 one-way community fare on morning flights from Kangaroo Island to Adelaide and evening flights from Adelaide to the island, in addition to flights in both directions in the middle of the day.

The South Australian island community is the 15th in the country to join the community airfare scheme, Rex said in a statement on June 18.

Kangaroo Island joins communities such as Griffith (for flights to and from Sydney), Mildura (to and from Adelaide flights) and Mt Isa (to and from Cairns flights) to have recently signed up to the Rex scheme.

Rex said it would make a minimum of 25 per cent of seats available on the nominated Kangaroo Island flights at the $99 price for advanced booking outside of the 30 days prior to departure, as well as all remaining seats within 24 hours of departure.

Rex general manager of network strategy and sales Warrick Lodge said the scheme was tailored to deliver maximum benefit to the local community, with residents able to use the discount fare for day-return travel to Adelaide and for both residents and visitors to use in the middle of the day.

Further, Lodge said the fare agreement with the council would deliver immediate socio-economic benefits to the Kangaroo Island community.

Kangaroo Island mayor Michael Pengilly said it was a great outcome.

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“By making the trip more affordable, it goes a long way towards improving access to the mainland for islanders,” Pengilly said.

Separately, Rex said welcomed the recent report from a Senate committee into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural and remote communities.

The airline said the committee had adopted most of its recommendations and positions in its submission to the inquiry.

In the Senate report released on June 7, the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee made nine recommendations addressing key issues faced by airlines in delivering sustainable, effective and affordable aviation services to rural, regional and remote communities.