Rex launches Sydney-Canberra Saab 340 flights [now axed]

They’re amazing loads compared to the jet services! 9 pax on a Saab = 45 pax on a 737!

Meanwhile the APS is jamming the QF flights, there were many special QF flights put on over the last 3 weeks especially (unsurprisingly).

MEL / CBR was also very very busy on QF.

QF press release today = QFd is now at 120% of pre-covid capacity....!
 
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SYD-CBR this morning had 9 pax. The first two CBR-SYD flights today had 10 and 6 pax. Hardly worthwhile.
When the route started, Rex would routinely cancel unfilled early flights and push passengers onto later flights which were then full.

You can't run a route that is frequented by business travellers if your practice is to delay them most days, as a matter of course, and do it early and then expect to win them over.

With the protracted delays at Sydney airport screening of late, I am now driving to/from Canberra again, even for day trips.
 
I think it is the other way around. I don't think it was ever patronised by business travellers in the first place. If their early flights were, the flight would be full.

I agree, the APS basically will only fly QF.

If QF full they will consider Virgin 2 as a fall back. Rexy though? Not a chance.
 
the APS basically will only fly QF.
As somebody subject to Commonwealth and Territory travel policies (not APS but a Territory public servant under the same rules) I can say that even though I ask for QF, they punted me onto Rex to save money.

I have asked for QF again, but now they are insisting I drive. The madness is that driving costs them more in mileage than it does in airfares, but because it comes from a different cost centre, it's ok because it looks better.

That said, lately, it's been better to drive.
 
As somebody subject to Commonwealth and Territory travel policies (not APS but a Territory public servant under the same rules) I can say that even though I ask for QF, they punted me onto Rex to save money.

I have asked for QF again, but now they are insisting I drive. The madness is that driving costs them more in mileage than it does in airfares, but because it comes from a different cost centre, it's ok because it looks better.

That said, lately, it's been better to drive.
Different cost centre bahahahahaa.

So APS.
 
As somebody subject to Commonwealth and Territory travel policies (not APS but a Territory public servant under the same rules) I can say that even though I ask for QF, they punted me onto Rex to save money.

I have asked for QF again, but now they are insisting I drive. The madness is that driving costs them more in mileage than it does in airfares, but because it comes from a different cost centre, it's ok because it looks better.

That said, lately, it's been better to drive.

We work with the APS every single day on logistics. They all seem to end up flying QF, almost always… there seems to be many ways around the rules!
 
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Strangely I noticed SYD airport website was still listing ZL arrivals from and departures for CBR tomorrow:
Screenshot_20220529-141809-552.png
Screenshot_20220529-141843-351.png
 
There seems to be many ways around the rules!

Not when you work in a front line role. Administrators love to wag their fingers tut tutting at the idea you're swanning it in the lounge.

The other thing that motivates the decision (I suspect) is that flying means you have to leave on time. Driving means you can keep being asked to do just one more thing so they can get their money's worth out of your time.
 
On the other hand, I noticed the CBR airport website was not even showing the MEL flight for ZL:
Screenshot_20220529-140931-524.pngScreenshot_20220529-141057~2.png
 
Strangely I noticed SYD airport website was still listing ZL arrivals from and departures for CBR tomorrow:

The Sydney Airport website often displays flights that aren't running. They did this throughout the pandemic.
 
I'm sure that Albury-Melbourne was never a huge money spinner, but with the Saab Rex used to run 2 or 3 flights on most days. QF has one down in the early morning, with the only return being early evening. I wonder who long it will be before it is cancelled entirely?
 
I'm sure that Albury-Melbourne was never a huge money spinner, but with the Saab Rex used to run 2 or 3 flights on most days. QF has one down in the early morning, with the only return being early evening. I wonder who long it will be before it is cancelled entirely?

The flights almost wouldn't be necessary if there was a match between the new Vlocity rolling stock (capable of and regularly does 150-160kph) and the infrastructure between Melbourne and Wodonga. It could be a 2.5 hr journey, which would be probably be time competitive with the flight, except for connecting passengers to/from other flights. I assume when all services revert to Vlocity (July?) the timetable will be a little quicker than it currently is.
 
new Vlocity rolling stock (capable of and regularly does 150-160kph) and the infrastructure between Melbourne and Wodonga. It could be a 2.5 hr journey, which would be probably be time competitive with the flight, except for connecting passengers to/from other flights. I assume when all services revert to Vlocity (July?) the timetable will be a little quicker than it currently is.
Yes, all six standard gauge sets supposed to be in service mid 2022. However Vic Transport Dept reckons 130k max for the North East Vlocity trains. The twice daily XPT also has a 130k max and is tabled to take about 3h20, but it makes 9 fewer stops than vlocity.
 

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