Tag Archives: REX

Rex acquires National Jet Express for $48 million from Cobham

Rex today (July 15) announced that it has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement which will result in its subsidiary Rex Freight and Charter Pty Ltd (RFC) acquiring 100% of National Jet Express Pty Ltd (NJE), the regional services arm of Cobham Aviation Services Australia (Cobham).

NJE is a leading provider of Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) services in Western Australia and South Australia. In addition, it operates freight services from Sydney to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta), as well as air charter services in Papua New Guinea. Revenue for NJE in the calendar year 2021 was $142m.

Completion of the sale will be subject to regulatory approvals, including FIRB approval. It is envisaged that shareholder approval will not be required.

Commenting on the purchase, Rex’s Executive Chairman, Lim Kim Hai said, “FIFO services are expected to experience strong growth in Australia and this acquisition positions the Rex Group to participate in this booming sector.”

“With this acquisition, Rex will have a FIFO arm that is simply unparalleled in Australia. NJE has a completely modern fleet comprising eight Bombardier Q400 turboprops and six Embraer E190 jets for FIFO work. Both aircraft types are fuel efficient, have enhanced operational reliability and low carbon emissions when compared with the predominantly 40-year-old Fokker 100s used by the other major FIFO operators.”

“I believe that NJE’s modern aircraft fleet and its long-term customer relationships overlayed with Rex’s proven record of safety, reliability and cost efficiencies would propel NJE to be the premier FIFO operator in Australia. NJE will naturally be the partner of choice for resource companies all over Australia who have been crying out for so long for a FIFO provider that is able to address their triple priorities of minimal impact on the environment, comfort and safety of its staff and reliability of service.”

“The Company will invest in modern aircraft and technology to enable NJE to expand from its traditional bases of WA and SA and bring our unique brand of FIFO services also to Queensland and Northern Territory.”

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 and six Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to 58 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the two pilot academies, Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.

Cobham routes in Australia:

REX secures two additional Boeing 737-800s

Rex today announced it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a lessor for the lease of two Boeing 737-800NGs.

The two aircraft are expected to arrive in late August, increasing the 737 fleet to eight, and are scheduled to enter service on Rex’s domestic network in September.

Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said, “It was only in November last year that we confirmed financing for Rex’s foray into the domestic market and within six months we have already obtained approval for the jet operations on our Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), recruited and trained crews and engineers, procured six aircraft and started operations on five domestic routes, with the first services commencing on March 1, 2021.

Rex currently operates 737 services from Melbourne to Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, and Canberra and from Sydney to Gold Coast. The two additional aircraft will provide Rex with the ability to launch new routes to other capital cities, large regional centres and popular leisure destinations.

The new routes will be announced shortly.

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 and six Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to 61 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the two pilot academies, Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.

We are eager to take off from Melbourne to Canberra however due to the extended lockdown in the Victorian capital we have had to postpone the inaugural flight to Friday 18 June 2021. pic.twitter.com/FdqTGQcviE

— Rex Airlines (@RexAirlines) June 4, 2021

Top Copyright Photo: REX (Regional Express Airlines) Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-RQC (msn 33797) SYD (John Adlard). Image: 952654.

REX aircraft slide show:

REX becomes a new Boeing 737 operator, jet services to start on March 1

REX – Regional Express Airlines is entering the competitive interstate domestic mainline market in Australia with six former Virgin Australia 176-seat Boeing 737-800NGs starting in March 2021.

REX jet services between Sydney and Melbourne will commence on March 1, 2021.

REX is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 60 SAAB 340 aircraft (pre-COVID) on 1,500 weekly flights to 59 destinations throughout all states in Australia.

The pictured VH-RQC was painted in Jakarta and arrived in Sydney on December 24, 2020 (below) to a water canyon salute.

In other news, the airline is also introducing new uniforms with this announcement:

As Rex’s inaugural domestic services between Sydney and Melbourne fast approach, Rex on January 23, 2021 unveiled its refreshed cabin crew uniforms. The new uniform retains the essence of Rex’s signature country hospitality but is presented in a classic yet elegant style. Rex’s National Flight Attendant Manager, Donna Griffith, said, “This fresh new look is intended to update Rex’s signature country hospitality. We have chosen a clean, fuss-free look that is simple yet elegant. Materials and cut have been carefully selected to provide comfort and practicality for my cabin crew.” “We are very proud that our uniforms are not designed by any famous designer. As with everything else we do in Rex, we have done everything in-house, from the design to the selection of material. This is who we are. This is what we do. This is why we are one of the most successful airlines in the world.”

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): REX (Regional Express Airlines) Boeing 737-8FE WL VH-RQC (msn 33797) SYD (John Adlard). Image: 952654.

REX Aircraft Photo Gallery: