Rex Launches TSV-MKY RPT services

[Chris W]

ASX Media Release:

http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/2009081...f2vgtmlgzt.pdf

Australia’s largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex), today announced that it will commence services between Townsville and Mackay from Thursday 1 October 2009.

For the first time the two communities will have 3 return flights every week day except Wednesday, allowing both the Townsville and Mackay business communities to spend a full day at their destination and return home for the night. Convenient Saturday and Sunday flights are also provided. (See Schedule below.) The standard, fully inclusive entry level one-way web fare between Townsville and Mackay will be $129.00.

[lloyd fox]

A bit out of the blue or should i say

A bit out of the orange and blue.

[Steve Jones]

I imagine they must have aircraft and crew already up there as part of some mining contract and this is just providing extra utilisation? One can only imagine it's the start of more Qld work?

[Dave Parer]

Rex have had two Saab aircraft based in Townsville since February as they took over one of the mining charters that Macair where operating before they folded.

The staff that work for Rex in Townsville are all ex Macair staff. The TSV-MKY-TSV flights are certainly an interesting move with Qantas Link currently the only operator on this sector.

[Damian N]

I believe also they have a Pel-Air branded Saab based in Mackay also..........so kind of makes senses that with aircraft already based in Mackay and Townsville and a lot of the infrastructre already in place that the economics are right to give this route a go.

[Adam P.]

Pel-Air branded Saab based in Mackay

That one's got no seats!

It does a nightly Brisbane-Rocky-Mackay freight run.

[Nigel C]

No seats? That's ok...the people up there are supposedly a tough breed. If not, I'm sure a teaspoon of cement with their in-flight coffee will help.

[Damian N]

Thanks Adam and Nigel! I realise the Pel-Air has no seats but I assume it's basing there means that there is already a significant portion of the desired "infrastructure" already in place....ie spare parts, relationship with airport/contractors, equipment, people trained to do stuff with the aircraft etc............

[Paul C.]

Pel-Air currently operates 5 Saab 340's

A models VH-KDB, KDK and EKT as freighters and REX B models VH-ZLA and ZLF for the Osborne Mine charter. VH-ORX and RXS also operated the Osborne Mine charter earlier in the year but were swapped around for ZLA and F.

[Adam G]

Rex is withdrawing from 1 Jan from TSV/MKY

http://www.rex.com.au/MediaAndPressC...t.aspx?site=IR