The Australian aviation industry has suffered another blow with regional airline Rex announcing it has gone into voluntary administration.
Speculation had been mounting on the future of the airline, after Rex suspended share trading on the ASX on Monday.
Flights between major airports have been cancelled, which begs the question: what should you do if you have an upcoming Rex flight booking?
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Rex grounds 747 fleet
Rex Group’s domestic fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft have all been grounded.
However, Regional Saab 340 flights are currently unaffected and will continue to operate.
Affected customers are being contacted directly by the airline.
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Virgin Australia, Qantas step in to offer new flights
Virgin Australia has stepped in to assist affected customers, calling the news a “difficult moment for Australian aviation”.
Rex customers with existing tickets on cancelled services are being offered a free transfer onto 13 overlapping Virgin Australia routes. To take up the offer, customers will need to contact Virgin Australia before August 14, 2024.
Qantas and Jetstar have also announced affected customers can be reaccommodated on the same route as their original booking at no charge, where seats are available.
Customers with an impacted Rex booking can contact Jetstar on Live Chat or 13 15 38 and Qantas on 13 13 13 to make a booking. They have until August 31, 2024 to take up the offer.
The Overlapping routes are:
- Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide
- Melbourne to Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast and Adelaide
- Adelaide to Brisbane, Perth
- Brisbane to Cairns
What happens if you have a Rex Airlines flight booked
Customers due to travel on one of the affected routes in the next 48 hours have been warned “not to come to the airport”.
Melbourne Airport spokesman Andrew Lund said: “If you are booked on a Rex jet service – so that’s any flight that was due to be operated by Rex to any of the major capital cities or the Gold Coast – do not come to the airport. Your flight won’t be operating today.”
Rex customers with imminent travel should contact the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89. Those travelling outside 48 hours should visit the Virgin Australia website to complete a rebooking form.
Is Rex Airlines still operating?
In a statement on X, the airline has confirmed that regional flights are “unaffected and will continue to operate”.
That means Rex flights on small propeller planes to places such as Merimbula, Mount Gambier, or King Island are going ahead at this stage.
The airline also said Pel-Air Air Ambulance Services and Australian Airline Pilot Academy remained outside of administration and under the control of their respective directors.
How will regional travel be affected?
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said Rex had a proud and important role in Australian aviation, pointing out the news was “a reminder of the challenging nature of our industry”.
Virgin will be looking at potential codeshare or interline arrangements in the future.
“Recognising the importance for regional Australians to have access to a comprehensive domestic and international network,” Hrdlicka said.
Meanwhile, Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long on Rex entering administration said Rex’s entry into administration was a “significant blow”.
“Rex Airlines has been a lifeline for much of regional and rural Australia, ensuring these communities stay connected to the rest of the country,” he said in a statement shared with 9Travel.
“We remain hopeful that Rex is able to navigate this challenging period and emerge to trade again.”