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Rex domestic jets have landed in Perth for the first time with the commencement of services to Melbourne and Adelaide.
Rex’s first interstate WA flight, ZL1212, took off from Perth bound for Adelaide at 11:55am on 28 June aboard the National Jet Express E190 VH-ULB, while its first 737-800 flight to Perth, ZL873, arrived from Melbourne aboard VH-RQP (pictured) at 10:34pm.
Melbourne-Perth flights will operate five times per week, while Perth-Adelaide services will fly three times per week.
This is the first time Rex has flown between Australia’s east and west coasts, and Rex chairman John Sharp thanked passengers on the inaugural flights for their patronage.
“This is a milestone moment for Rex, and one our amazing staff have worked so hard towards since our first domestic service roared down the runway just a few years ago,” he said.
“On behalf of Rex Airlines, I want to thank the three State Governments and each of the Airports and Tourism bodies who got behind us but especially, I wish to thank our passengers.
“We are delighted you chose to fly with us today and we hope you and many more Australians will give Rex a go because we are delivering more competition, all you have to do is support us.”
Rex already operates regional flights within Western Australia using its Saab 340B fleet, as well as FIFO services through its subsidiary National Jet Express, whose E190s are being used on the Perth-Adelaide route.
Speaking in May, Perth Airport’s chief commercial and aviation officer, Kate Holsgrove, said the service – timed to start alongside the school holidays – will be good news for Perth travellers.
“Currently Rex operates four successful regional services within Western Australia. The introduction of Rex’s first interstate routes from our Terminal 2 is a sure sign of their confidence in the Perth market,” Holsgrove said.
“This gives Western Australians more options for travel and we look forward to working with the Rex Airlines team to ensure the new routes are successful.”
NJE has a fleet of seven E190s, which have both 104-seat and 110-seat configurations. The airline formerly known as Cobham, which was bought by Rex in 2022, also operates nine Dash 8-400NGs, as well as four British Aerospace 146s.
Rex currently operates 10 737-800s, with the tenth, VH-8ZL, having arrived in December.
