Rex in voluntary administration, ending all 737 services

[dajop]

This will lead to three regional airlines using Velocity. Pelican, Link and now Rex.

If that happens, it does feel like they're finally "getting the band back together" after 23 years.

 

[HS-TQE]

IIRC, Link Airways (Fly Corporate) wasn't part of the Ansett stable.

 

[dajop]

IIRC, Link Airways (Fly Corporate) wasn't part of the Ansett stable.

Well their RPT operations only started in 2016, so I'm pretty sure you do recall correctly (they were a charter company before that, presumably with no association with AN).

But you can always welcome new band members, along with the old ones.

 

[Harrison_133]

There's also a Sunshine Coast to Emerald route operated by an Alliance Airlines F100/F70 that's open to regular RPT once a week during the FIFO season (it's a charter on the two other days it operates).

That route is not open to public sale anymore, but getting the topic back to Rex.

Alliance's whole RPT network relies upon putting seats on sale to the public for what are essentially FIFO services. IMO this makes them a very unlikely candidate to (as has been posited by some) step in if Rex's regional operations were to also cease. Actual RPT services are just not in their wheelhouse. Just look at the hash job they made of CNS-MCY-CBR.

 

[HS-TQE]

When it was initially just MCY-CNS, the QQ service was partially subsidised by the Queensland Government until that finished up in Late 2021. Can't recall if the (short lived) later CBR extension was part of that funding.

Sunshine Coast Airport launches direct service to Cairns | Noosa Today

Sunshine Coast Airport has joined forces with the Queensland Government and Alliance Airlines to launch a new service to Cairns, […]

noosatoday.com.au

 

[dajop]

Actual RPT services are just not in their wheelhouse.

If it was in anyone's wheelhouse you think it would be Link, who already operate RPT services using a fleet of 11 Saabs. Although it would need support/investment to take on Rex's larger fleet and larger destinations.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

“Rex Flyer” has not taken off and will not take off. It will almost certainly be submerged into Velocity considering how cosy Rex have been with VA in the past week (even though it’s VA that shot Rex out due to their shared customer base of value/leisure/budget oriented travellers, not QF who have a premium/corporate customer base, which made Rex incredibly vulnerable)

This will lead to three regional airlines using Velocity. Pelican, Link and now Rex.

It’s strange that airlines that Virgin don’t have a stake in have adopted/are adopting Velocity while airlines that Qantas actually has a stake in (Alliance) don’t adopt QFF.

Maybe QF can raise this at the next FJ board meeting.

 

[Saab34]

MCY-CNS is a low cost route so no surprise it didn’t work at sky high pricing. It was one of Bonza’s only few routes that barely worked. Jetstar now launching at a smaller frequency.

 

[justinbrett]

Maybe QF can raise this at the next FJ board meeting.

Well they would, if the Fijian government allowed Australian nationals to sit on the board again. QF lost its seats in 2012.

 

[Catweazle]

From their latest email courtesy of one Sam Freeman, alongside his side-kicks Justin Walsh, Adam Nikitins & their team:

I’m pleased to let you know that during the period of the voluntary administration, Rex Flyers will continue to be able to enjoy the normal benefits you receive under your membership tier.

You’ll also be able to continue to earn Rex Points as usual, including bonus point earn amounts for tiered members.

These points will be redeemable only in the event of a successful restructure of Rex that specifically seeks to maintain these points, and while we can’t guarantee the outcome of this process, it is our current expectation that such a restructure is the likely way forward for Rex.

Enjoy your status perks, folks. Should you start spending your points?

 

[UP4014]

Enjoy your status perks, folks. Should you start spending your points?

I don't think you can spend your points.

 

[henrus]

From their latest email courtesy of one Sam Freeman, alongside his side-kicks Justin Walsh, Adam Nikitins & their team:

They’ve completely removed the frequent flyer program section from their website…

Meanwhile the administrators are saying everything is mostly normal. hmm.

 

[Harrison_133]

Couple of photos from this morning. The Rex jets in Melbourne have been moved off to a taxiway and the two in Sydney are still at Gates 56 & 59 penned in by concrete blocks.

 

[tcasfail]

Couple of photos from this morning. The Rex jets in Melbourne have been moved off to a taxiway and the two in Sydney are still at Gates 56 & 59 penned in by concrete blocks.

View attachment 400929View attachment 400930View attachment 400931

1 week today, the need to have their engines run or they will go into deep storage. Doesn’t look like it’ll happen with the blocks there

 

[MEL_Traveller]

From their latest email courtesy of one Sam Freeman, alongside his side-kicks Justin Walsh, Adam Nikitins & their team:



Enjoy your status perks, folks. Should you start spending your points?

could be a ‘she’!

Can’t spend points now. But can earn (no thanks). Lounge access is available! (wonders whether to buy a fully refundable ticket to go use the lounge!)

 

[simmomelb]

could be a ‘she’!

Can’t spend points now. But can earn (no thanks). Lounge access is available! (wonders whether to buy a fully refundable ticket to go use the lounge!)

Have you been into a Rex "lounge", AKA a small office space with a mini bar and no staff?

On a serious note, I hope they get access to the Virgin lounges if approved by the ACCC and new owners.

 

[p--and--t]

Have you been into a Rex "lounge", AKA a small office space with a mini bar and no staff?

Flew.on REX a few times.

737 good (better than VA, JQ)
SAAB ok/soso for short flight

Lounge - never bothered to use after opening the door and looking in once.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have you been into a Rex "lounge", AKA a small office space with a mini bar and no staff?

On a serious note, I hope they get access to the Virgin lounges if approved by the ACCC and new owners.

Yes! Many times! MEL lounge has an awesome full massage chair, super fresh wraps (better than VA’s) and a decent coffee machine which good choice of pods. The SYD lounge has hot toasted sarnies and a range of other fresh food. Plus packaged treats by Sara Lee. Wines and beer - including sparking - available after 3.

Minus the salad bar and barista coffee - which I don’t appreciate given the long wait times - Rex’s lounges are the same as VA’s.

 

[Mattg]

Yes! Many times! MEL lounge has an awesome full massage chair, super fresh wraps (better than VA’s) and a decent coffee machine which good choice of pods. The SYD lounge has hot toasted sarnies and a range of other fresh food. Plus packaged treats by Sara Lee. Wines and beer - including sparking - available after 3.

Minus the salad bar and barista coffee - which I don’t appreciate given the long wait times - Rex’s lounges are the same as VA’s.

I visited the ADL lounge last week and didn't mind it. It had a few fresh wraps and sandwiches, better wine that the VA lounge (!) and a massage chair. The wifi worked fine and I did enjoy the Caramello koalas.

But after stopping in there, I headed over to the VA lounge and the difference was stark. The VA large was much larger, actually had bathrooms/showers and just had a much nicer overall ambience. I also didn't have to go and find someone to let me in. The Rex lounge reminded me of a country town motel reception from the 1990s.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I visited the ADL lounge last week and didn't mind it. It had a few fresh wraps and sandwiches, better wine that the VA lounge (!) and a massage chair. The wifi worked fine and I did enjoy the Caramello koalas.

But after stopping in there, I headed over to the VA lounge and the difference was stark. The VA large was much larger, actually had bathrooms/showers and just had a much nicer overall ambience. I also didn't have to go and find someone to let me in. The Rex lounge reminded me of a country town motel reception from the 1990s.

Sydney lounge has bathrooms! Unfortunately none in MEL though.

Always been able to get a seat in the Rex lounges, compared to VA having a queue outside, or opening the overflow room (and still not getting a seat!!)

Many times I've been the sole occupant of the Rex lounges. I'll take that anyday