Australia discount airline REX has entered voluntary administration. The airline flies a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft for Austrialian domestic routes and Saab 340s on regional routes.
All flights that operated the Boeing 737 are cancelled. Regional routes will however continue as scheduled for the time being.
Virgin Australia will step in to help REX customers
On 30 July 2024, REX announced the suspension of Boeing 737 services across Australia. The move will impact thousands of customers who had scheduled travel with the airline.
Fortunately, REX coordinated travel options with Virgin Australia prior to entering administration. In a Facebook post, Virgin Australia states that all tickets on REX can be rebooked as long as the move is made by 14 August.
The airline provided a FAQ that answers questions for affected passengers.
Virgin Australia further announced that they will seek to transfer three REX Boeing 737 aircraft into Virgin Australia’s fleet in order to handle the anticipated need to replace REX’ service and capacity.
REX previously had 8 737-800 aircraft in their fleet. The additional three jets would mean that Virgin Australia’s fleet would expand to a total of 92 Boeing 737 aircraft.
About REX
REX AIrlines is Australia’s largest regional carrier. They “arose from the ashes of the collapse of the Ansett Group when two of its regional airlines , Hazelton and Kendell Airlines, were rescued to form Rex in August 2002.” In 2021, the airlines began flying Boeing 737 aircraft on domestic routes throughout Australia.
The combination of intense competition, a new fleet type, and challenging economic conditions proved to be too much for the airline. REX is not the only airline to fail recently. Earlier this year, Bonza also entered administration and stopped flying. The airline operated a fleet of Boeing 737 NG and MAX aircraft as well.
