iscover
Rex will double its daily Melbourne–Hobart services over the holiday season this year due to strong demand.
The carrier will put on extra flights between 18 December and 21 January, catering for what it says is a “surge in demand”, with bookings in both directions “exceeding expectations” since the Melbourne-Hobart route was launched in August.
“I would urge people to book without delay as I have no doubt these extra flights will sell out quickly,” said Rex deputy chairman John Sharp.
“Passenger demand has been phenomenal and forward bookings have gone through the roof.”
Hobart Airport’s chief executive officer, Norris Carter, said it was great to see Rex offering additional flights “only a few weeks in”.
“It’s great to see these extra flights and just as importantly more competition at Hobart Airport that benefits passengers,” he said.
“These additional services over the summer holiday season are a good sign for the future of Rex in Hobart.”
Rex is currently flying daily between the two capitals, complementing its Saab 340 regional services to Burnie, Devonport, and King Island, and adding an extra 128,000 seats per year between Tasmania and the mainland.
The airline has long spoken of its ambitions to expand its 737 operations, with chairman Lim Kim Hai even suggesting last year that its fleet could grow to 30 aircraft over the coming five to seven years.
Sharp revealed the expansion was made possible because COVID-19 caused “thousands” of aircraft to hit the market at low prices, with lessors “happy to accept any price”.
Rex first launched capital city flights in March 2021 after securing $150 million in investment. However, the move triggered a furious row with Qantas, with the smaller airline accusing its bigger rival of “predatory” behaviour for apparently responding by launching services on previously Rex-exclusive routes.
Its ninth 737, VH-8JS, arrived late last month and will support the new Adelaide to Brisbane route, scheduled to launch on 30 October. Rex expects to add two more 737-800s to its fleet before the end of the financial year as it continues to grow its domestic network.
