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Rex’s new 737 takes flight – but it’s still got its Virgin branding

written by Adam Thorn | November 20, 2020

VH-VUF ex-Virgin 737 Rex Dave Soda
The now infamous ex-Virgin 737 leased to Rex, VH-VUF, has been flying back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne (Dave Soda)

The now-famous ex-Virgin 737 leased to new rival Rex has been flying back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne this week, likely in preparation for its CASA proving flight on 5 December.

Australian Aviation photographer Dave Soda on Friday morning took these incredible images of VH-VUF in the Victorian capital – with its tail still containing the last remnants of Virgin branding.

This particular 737 is significant because it is the first obtained by Rex to fly its ambitious new capital city routes between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Earlier this month, fellow spotter Lenn Bayliss took the first shots of its Virgin livery being removed at Wellcamp before the regional airline took delivery of it in Sydney on 5 November.

On Thursday, Rex has finally signed off on a $150 million investment that will allow it to expand its operations to also rival Qantas and Jetstar.

The airline will draw down an initial $50 million in January next year from PAG Asia Capital and the deal will see the APAC organisation nominate two directors to sit on the board.

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Rex executive chairman Lim Kim Hai said, “I look forward to tapping into the experience and expertise of PAG’s nominated directors whose professionalism I have grown to respect over the last few months of extensive discussions.”

The pair first revealed they were in advanced negotiations in September but today’s news means the airline can confirm it will fly Sydney–Melbourne with three aircraft on 1 March 2021, before ramping up to five by Easter.

“Once the initial services are well established, we aim to progressively grow our fleet to cover all the major cities in Australia,” said Lim.

“PAG is a well-respected and highly successful investment group which manages more than US$40 billion on behalf of major global institutional investors.

“Preparations for our domestic operations are proceeding to plan with our first Boeing 737 800NG aircraft delivered on 5 November 2020. Our crew will carry out training on the aircraft over the next three weeks before the CASA proving flight on 2 December 2020.

“We anticipate CASA approval shortly after. Five other similar aircraft will be delivered from next month to March 2021.”

In May, the airline announced its ambitious plans to take on Qantas and Virgin by expanding its network to service Australian capital city routes, including the coveted Golden Triangle – between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The news that a deal for new routes will launch comes after Rex recorded an underlying profit before tax of $250,000 and an increase in revenue, from $318 million last year to $322 million in FY20, despite the coronavirus crisis.

The positive results also marked a remarkable turnaround from March, when Rex warned it would have no choice but to announce the “shutting down of its network” if it didn’t receive financial aid, even threatening to stop transporting COVID-19 testing samples.

The strong performance was in part attributed to the company accepting $62.1 million of government grants, including JobKeeper and regional aviation bailouts.

This led to Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce attacking Rex for accepting the handouts before unveiling plans to expand its network. “That doesn’t feel right,” said Joyce. “That doesn’t seem right.”

Rex fired back, stating Joyce was “misinformed by his advisers” and arguing that it was impossible to use the COVID-19 payments for improper means because they are “strictly audited” by Ernst & Young.

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Comments (12)

  • Nate

    says:

    The paint-job’s probably being outsourced overseas.
    Or else REX can’t afford to have it done, now they’re paying interest on their $150mn Singaporean loan!
    Wonder when they’ll possibly approach LNP Fed Govt’s McCormack for more taxpayer $$$$, to help them survive?

  • Big Willie

    says:

    VIREX!?

  • Georgina V Palmer

    says:

    Fantastic news. Dont forget Tasmania in that. We have Rex Burnie to Melbourne but Burnie to Sydney would be fantastic.

  • Nate

    says:

    Why do comments take so long to get posted on ‘AA’? No staff?
    Those posted last Friday still haven’t appeared!

  • Geoff

    says:

    The venture will probably go the same way as Compass, Compass II, et al. Qantas is a commercially aggressive company and will not allow a third airline to operate on the “golden triangle ” of SYD, MEL, BRI even if it means selling tickets for one dollar until the intruder is forced out – often by bankruptcy.

  • Anton

    says:

    When will this aircraft get painted in the REX livery???

  • Noodles

    says:

    at least they are having a go – why not and if it is successful we will employ more pilots then of course cabin crew, engineers, load crew, ground staff and then travel agents !!!!!!!

  • Neil

    says:

    Sounds like the Return of OZJET!!!

  • Vannus

    says:

    Hello Geoff….

    You got SYD & MEL correct, but three-letter IATA code for Brisbane is: BNE
    Always has been ever since Eagle Farm was established as main airport, back in the day……

  • Neil

    says:

    Looks like the Painters have slipped with Red Paint! Good luck taking on the Red Kangaroo, JetStar,& the New Bain Airways!

  • Warwick

    says:

    Hi Neil, above…..
    I do believe you mean ‘White Kangaroo’, if you’re meaning QANTAS.
    Look to the tail!

  • David T

    says:

    After painting the rudder it needs to be balanced in an enviromently controlled area,
    otherwise flutter can occur in flight which is undesireable.

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