iscover
The airline’s first BETA ALIA CX300, N401NZ, which arrived in the country last month, has begun an “intensive proving program” from its base at Hamilton Airport before being sent south to Wellington to fly Cook Strait crossings to Blenheim by the end of January.
Commencing in March 2026, flights from the Sunshine Coast to Denpasar will operate three times per week on Jetstar’s A321neo LR fleet, adding more than 70,000 seats per year, and will connect onwards to Singapore.
The subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, which sustains and maintains the Australian Defence Force’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet, is expected to provide another 100 positions of growth by 2028, including 60 roles in maintenance.
In a statement, the peak body for regional aviation welcomed the government’s “commitment to regional Australia”, but called on it to “support all Australian regional airline operators, not just Rex”. It comes as Transport Minister Catherine King announced financial aid for Air T’s purchase of Rex.
The Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme, which has flown more than 500,000 discounted airfares, was earlier this year extended into June 2026. Its potential expiry has sparked anxiety over possible huge jumps in fares, as reported by the ABC, but WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has said it will be renewed.
Under the arrangements, Rex’s debt will be restructured, with $90 million owed to the government set to be carried forward in a profit-sharing arrangement, while another $60 million loan will be extended to help with engine care and maintenance in bringing more Saab 340Bs back into service.
PROFILES
Raising the Bar in Commercial Laundry: How Rinse & Repeat Is Redefining Service for Aviation
Raising the Bar in Commercial Laundry: How Rinse & Repeat Is Redefining Service for Aviation
UPRT Australia- Transforming Aviation’s Greatest Risk into Its Greatest Asset
UPRT Australia- Transforming Aviation’s Greatest Risk into Its Greatest Asset
