Rex to fly between Australian capital cities

[Harrison_133]

The next two jets are now confirmed for the end of July and mid-September arrivals. First in passenger service by mid-August.

Rex “may” also add 2 more 737s before the end of the current financial year.

Still stating they want to fly to every capital city, and want airports to submit expressions of interest for their share of “trademark reliability and country hospitality.”

https://www.rex.com.au/BlobViewer/BlobViewer.aspx?attachtype=MR&filename=7552716E4444444B5A65797461345671716E6566335A574B4F34504B6853394F714A4674646A69317757513D

 

[henrus]

Still stating they want to fly to every capital city, and want airports to submit expressions of interest for their share of “trademark reliability and country hospitality.”

So Darwin and Perth to come?

Credit where credits due the press release doesn’t attack Qantas but seriously this is a Bonza level stunt and I can’t see too many wanting their share of “country hospitality” from Rex. Additionally with mostly ex VA aircraft and crew is it really country hospitality? How many of Rex’s staff are actually based in the regions?

 

[jb747]

I like the "expressions of interest" bit. That's a 180º reversal of the way it actually works.

 

[henrus]

I like the "expressions of interest" bit. That's a 180º reversal of the way it actually works.

To be fair Bonza took this approach and some operators appear to literally have bent over backwards to have them. I don't think Rex would gain that same benefit as the shiny new glossy airline that was Bonza but who knows.

An interesting thought is if a smaller airport like Albury, Mildura, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Bundaberg, Proserpine (smaller ones that Bonza now operates to) were to approach Rex and offer to waive landing fees for a period of time and only charge the mandatory $5-10 security fee per passenger on the condition that Rex must fly their 737's would Rex bite?

I can't see the larger ones remaining like Perth/Darwin offering Rex anything special and with many of the above regional ports already serviced by Rex, it could really backfire on them if they encouraged Rex to drop a 737 only to have it potentially pulled in a year or two with no guarantee of the previous SAAB's coming back.

 

[dk4]

The next two jets are now confirmed for the end of July and mid-September arrivals.

Still stating they want to fly to every capital city...

I wonder what business class seats they will have? If they do fly to Perth exclusively with the mega leg-room/recline ones (which came fitted to a later acquisition) then they will have a significant product difference to the QF & VA B737 transcon J offer, (although I don't like the slippery upholstery on them).

...I can’t see too many wanting their share of “country hospitality” from Rex. Additionally with mostly ex VA aircraft and crew is it really country hospitality...

IMO the ground staff and crew, who came up through the REX ranks, actually do have a very relaxed, friendly, country vibe: whereas I agree, the ex-Virgin staff with their urbane flair and disposition are a bit of an obvious cultural misfit.

 

[wandering_fred]

So Darwin and Perth to come?

Perth? Hopefully with something more than the current turbo props?
I think my mind is wandering
Fred

 

[HS-TQE]

I wonder what business class seats they will have? If they do fly to Perth exclusively with the mega leg-room/recline ones (which came fitted to a later acquisition) then they will have a significant product difference to the QF & VA B737 transcon J offer, (although I don't like the slippery upholstery on them).

IMO the ground staff and crew, who came up through the REX ranks, actually do have a very relaxed, friendly, country vibe: whereas I agree, the ex-Virgin staff with their urbane flair and disposition are a bit of an obvious cultural misfit.

I would guess REX would leave the MI/SQ seats in and perhaps reupholster the seats just like what they did with the ex-Jet/Samoa 737.

Can't see REX doing a sub fleet for just PER/DRW, very high chance of them ripping out a J row from the ex-SQ/MI aircraft to make it 8J like their existing 738s.

 

[jb747]

To be fair Bonza took this approach and some operators appear to literally have bent over backwards to have them. I don't think Rex would gain that same benefit as the shiny new glossy airline that was Bonza but who knows.

If a market cannot support itself, then why should the local councils effectively subsidise it. I doubt that many have overflowing coffers. Using Albury as an example, the offerings from the incumbents (including Rex) are pretty terrible post covid, but two services a week (Bonza), so that people can mostly leave the area and holiday in Qld doesn't seem a sound investment. Of course, we see the same thing playing out with state governments courting foreign airlines....so that we can holiday overseas.

An interesting thought is if a smaller airport like Albury, Mildura, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Bundaberg, Proserpine (smaller ones that Bonza now operates to) were to approach Rex and offer to waive landing fees for a period of time and only charge the mandatory $5-10 security fee per passenger on the condition that Rex must fly their 737's would Rex bite?

And if that free offer isn't immediately extended to all others who already fly there, you might end up with a lot less in the way of services.

 

[Saab34]

Councils get greedy eventually, I recall Rex said, that aero charges might be higher in the major airports, but they are not as volatile as council operated airports. All it takes is one council meeting, and charges could double overnight.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

If a market cannot support itself, then why should the local councils effectively subsidise it. I doubt that many have overflowing coffers. Using Albury as an example, the offerings from the incumbents (including Rex) are pretty terrible post covid, but two services a week (Bonza), so that people can mostly leave the area and holiday in Qld doesn't seem a sound investment. Of course, we see the same thing playing out with state governments courting foreign airlines....so that we can holiday overseas.

And if that free offer isn't immediately extended to all others who already fly there, you might end up with a lot less in the way of services.

Actually regional towns wanting to attract businessmen and professionals to live there would benefit by being able to have air links to other places.

 

[Melburnian1]

Actually regional towns wanting to attract businessmen and professionals to live there would benefit by being able to have air links to other places.

Yes, but how many?

jb747 is on the right tram. Councils have no business operating airports, and even less offering subsidies to new players or incumbents.

Councils often fail on basic tasks like roads, rates and rubbish, so best that they concentrate on these.

While I've never paid rates in other than Melbourne, in many rural cities and especially towns, Council rates per dollar of capital improved or site value are three to four times what one can pay under many metropolitan councils. It's largely a function of so many roads to maintain.

 

[Melburnian1]

How are ZL's loadings on its B738 routes?

While as per Mattg and others, expertflyer is not necessarily accurate, looking at ZL9, the 0700 hours SYD down to MEL I can only see 39 economy seats occupied on this scheduled 0700 hours peak time depature for tomorrow morning, Wednesday 26 July 2023.

 

[dajop]

How are ZL's loadings on its B738 routes?

While as per Mattg and others, expertflyer is not necessarily accurate, l

They are retrospectively accurate, you need to look at seatmaps for last few days, but not a flight that hasn’t been taken.

On that flight today, abysmal loading.

 

[Saab34]

Some Expert Flyer figures for completed fights today, I hope these figures are not correct?

BNE-SYD
70
60
140

SYD-BNE
60
60
120

SYD-MEL
30

MEL-SYD
30

CBR-MEL 60

SYD-OOL 60

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They are retrospectively accurate, you need to look at seatmaps for last few days, but not a flight that hasn’t been taken.

On that flight today, abysmal loading.

Such a shame. But Rex came to the rescue the a couple weeks ago when my friend was caught in the horrendous SYD-MEL delays. VA cancelled her flight and could only offer 9am the next morning (5pm original), walk up Rex fare was $200.

Even then apparently the flight wasn’t full. Rex really needs to do better marketing!

 

[Harrison_133]

Some Expert Flyer figures for completed fights today, I hope these figures are not correct?

Yesterday was not too pretty either…

I haven’t been keeping up with Rex much lately, but the OOL & CBR flights always seem to be quiet outside of the school holidays. I have a feeling HBA will fall into this category too. ADL seems to fairing better for them though. Once again they’re reducing SYD-MEL down to 5 daily (instead of 7) for the month of August. They never seem to be able to maintain higher frequencies.

Even then apparently the flight wasn’t full. Rex really needs to do better marketing!

Wholeheartedly agree. I couldn’t even point you to a single piece of Rex advertising apart from their social media posts. Meanwhile, Qantas are always rolling out fresh material, I see Jetstar’s ads whenever I turn on the TV, and Virgin have had a pretty successful campaign with the Wonderful ads. Point is, the other 3 are out there, Rex is not. They need something, but I’m not sure the whole country hospitality thing resonates in the capital cities.

In related news, they posted on their Instagram page today about the “exciting” launch of a new website for their inflight magazine TrulyAus, so clearly they have their priorities in order. The (few) comments all ask about the frequent flyer program. It sure has been coming soon for a long time now.

For reference:

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[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

jb747 is on the right tram. Councils have no business operating airports, and even less offering subsidies to new players or incumbents.

If councils don't operate those airports, then who does? Like it or not, they're a public service and our State and Federal Governments aren't in the business of running airports either.

Even then apparently the flight wasn’t full. Rex really needs to do better marketing!

REX also need a FF program....won't be getting anyone off VA or QF long term without it.

 

[Melburnian1]

Even then apparently the flight wasn’t full. Rex really needs to do better marketing!

Many do not use Webjet (nor do I) but ZL's flights are shown when one searches domestic flights there.

What percentage of Australians who fly occasionally on B738 routes that have Rex as a competitor would be aware of it? 20 per cent?

It must be losing a few hundred thousand dollars each week on the so-called 'mainline' routes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Many do not use Webjet (nor do I) but ZL's flights are shown when one searches domestic flights there.

What percentage of Australians who fly occasionally on B738 routes that have Rex as a competitor would be aware of it? 20 per cent?

It must be losing a few hundred thousand dollars each week on the so-called 'mainline' routes.

They need better awareness campaigns.

I mean if VA has cancelled a half dozen flights, stranding maybe 600+ people…. how could rex not be full at $200 a seat?

 

[Saab34]

Melbourne to Adelaide, Brisbane seem to be two stronger routes across most days.

Those numbers Melbourne to Sydney however are unacceptable. Then begs the question, who is the Rex passenger? Virgin and Jetstar at comparable times are full, so the low cost end and the middle market operator. Seems like Rex doesn’t fit in either.