REX 737 fleet disposal thread

[Anthony Collins]

Post here location and ferry flights details for the REX 737 fleet.

[Zac M]

Think that’s a bit premature

[Brodie L]

VH-PAG has been sighted outside MJB with a truck in front of each engine

[Zac M]

PAG has been in heavy maintenance so probably no real indicator

[Robert.M]

Rex is going into administration tomorrow.

https://www.rex.com.au/AboutRex/OurCompany/DomesticFlightUpdates.aspx
Rex Flyer frequent flyer points will be frozen during the administration. You will not be able to use or accrue points during the administration period.

In the event of a successful restructure of the business accrued points may become available again. Further information will be provided in due course.

737 fleet with Rex is done.

[Lauren J]

Virgin Australia will be purchasing three former REx 737s. It will be interesting if they choose the older former-VA ones, or the more modern and capable ones such as VH-8ZL and VH-MFM.

[Robert.M]

Most likely two of the 8SA (8KHand 8JS) and 85R (MFM). Also not purchase, taking over the lease.

https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/rex-grounds-city-flights-virgin-steps-in-to-rescue-passengers-20240730-p5jxqz
"Due to expected delays in Virgin Australia's order deliveries for new 737 MAX-8s, Virgin Australia is in the process of securing leases for three of the
737-800 aircraft Rex will no longer operate,"
Virgin said in a statement.

VA also left open the possibility that Rex and VA would codeshare (like with Link Airways).

[Lauren J]

Most likely two of the 8SA (8KH and 8JS) and 85R (MFM). Also not purchase, taking over the lease.

https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/rex-grounds-city-flights-virgin-steps-in-to-rescue-passengers-20240730-p5jxqz

Thanks for the correction. Why not VH-8ZL, out of curiosity?

[Robert.M]

Age IMO, 8ZL is 12 years but the others are ~ 10.

[Zac M]

If it’s a lease and they need the aircraft fast, you may find PAG, RQP and REX might be the ones to go to VA…still have the VA interior and aren’t too old (by comparison to RQC and RYU)

[Dylan Hardie]

VA are looking at the ex Silk aircraft as they are in better condition

PAG has been repossessed by Avcro for due engineering bills

[Brenden S]

Does anyone have the full list of the fleet and where they are currently located?

[Lauren J]

Does anyone have the full list of the fleet and where they are currently located?

VH-REX - Melbourne
VH-RQC - Adelaide
VH-RQG - Alice Springs (retired a few months ago, due to be scrapped)
VH-RQP - Melbourne
VH-PAG - Melbourne (has been in maintenance for a month)
VH-MFM - Melbourne
VH-8KH - Melbourne
VH-8JS - Sydney
VH-8ZL - Brisbane

[Stirling D]

VH-REX - Melbourne
VH-RQC - Adelaide
VH-RQG - Alice Springs (retired a few months ago, due to be scrapped)
VH-RQP - Melbourne
VH-PAG - Melbourne (has been in maintenance for a month)
VH-MFM - Melbourne
VH-8KH - Melbourne
VH-8JS - Sydney
VH-8ZL - Brisbane

RQG is well into the scrap process, missing engines and the wings

[Yusef D]

My money is on the -8SA frames, don't know the third. Virgin was already planning to take 2 more of those ex Silkair frames to make up for Max delays.

Hopefully not the one named for Michael McCormack.

[Steve S... 2]

And:

VH-RYU - Sydney

[Lauren J]

And:

VH-RYU - Sydney

Not sure how I missed that one, thanks!

[Lauren J]

VH-8ZL is stored in Brisbane with tape covering all ports and seals. Hopefully it gets picked up by VA.

[MarkR]

$500M to 4800 creditors owed, I don’t think we should be limiting the disposals to just the 737s given assets on the half yearly report were 700M of which a fair bit would be intangible and not recoverable in administration.

[Robert.M]

Well the 737 flight sim will be sold (since they would no longer require it), would be interesting to see if the paint hangar at WGA will be put on the market and the unfinished Sydney hangar is anyone’s guess. The HQ in Mascot will likely be put on the market.

Would they sell any of the Saabs? Who knows. VH-ZPO hasn’t even been repainted or flown since it arrived and sitting out in the grass.

[Robert.M]

So these are the registered operators as of 9 August. I think the “De Lore and Associates” aircraft will be ones that will be heading back overseas.

VH-REX - Regional Express
VH-RQC - Regional Express
VH-RQP - Regional Express
VH-RYU - Regional Express
VH-PAG - Regional Express
VH-MFM - De Lore and Associates
VH-8KH - De Lore and Associates
VH-8JS - De Lore and Associates
VH-8ZL - De Lore and Associates

[MarkR]

So these are the registered operators as of 9 August. I think the “De Lore and Associates” aircraft will be ones that will be heading back overseas.

VH-REX - Regional Express
VH-RQC - Regional Express
VH-RQP - Regional Express
VH-RYU - Regional Express
VH-PAG - Regional Express
VH-MFM - De Lore and Associates
VH-8KH - De Lore and Associates
VH-8JS - De Lore and Associates
VH-8ZL - De Lore and Associates

I would not be surprised if it’s in fact an indicator they are going to VA, given they are likely to need work prior to going to a new home which will be done overseas. Airwork have defaulted on a loan and are in the process of disposing of their fleet, I would not be surprised if Texel eye off some Rex birds for conversion to take over the airwork business.

[Greg Hyde]

VH-8JS ferried to ASP yesterday.

[Robert.M]

All of the ex REX 737 fleets have De Lore and Associates as registered operator.

[Ayden H]

VH-8JS ferried to ASP yesterday.

Rather unusually it used the callsign FOXTROT DELTA ZULU 007. The ICAO code FDZ belongs to a company in Luxembourg.

[Stirling D]

Rather unusually it used the callsign FOXTROT DELTA ZULU 007. The ICAO code FDZ belongs to a company in Luxembourg.

Just a ferry company

[Stuart McCarthy]

VH-RYU just departed Sydney for Nadi, looks like callsign is its rego

[Dylan Hardie]

Off to Arizona

[Zac M]

I’d say that will be the end of that one? Off to the scrappers?

[Ayden H]

I’d say that will be the end of that one? Off to the scrappers?

It's a 21 year old airframe so I'd say so. Not many aircraft return from MZJ.

[Tristan S]

It's a 21 year old airframe so I'd say so. Not many aircraft return from MZJ.

A couple of years ago, frames of that age would have gone for conversion to a freighter, but now, not so much..

[Robert.M]

Useable parts are worth more these days.

[Dylan Hardie]

8ZL to follow in a couple weeks

[Greg Hyde]

VH-RYU just departed Sydney for Nadi, looks like callsign is its rego

Completed ferry (probably last flight) to Marana, AZ.

Remember a show I watched on aircraft scraping a couples of years ago (so the data may of changed) that the engines equate to 70% of the value returned from scrapping an aircraft.

[Robert.M]

Engines, landing gear and computers are the most valuable items and tend to be sold even before an aircraft arrives at a bone yard. Won’t surprise me if they start working on it not long after it arrived.

[MarkR]

Engines, landing gear and computers are the most valuable items and tend to be sold even before an aircraft arrives at a bone yard. Won’t surprise me if they start working on it not long after it arrived.

Castlelake are the owner of two Rex birds including this one and last week made no mention of its disposal in an investor update, they expected delays in new delivery ac which may mean these aircraft find a temporary new home.

[Greg Hyde]

8KH is scheduled to ASP later today

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 737-8SA 44217 4765 VH-8KH Rex Regional Express ferried 11sep24 MEL-ASP for onward storage ex 9V-MGA

Just about to land

[Tristan S]

RQP just about to leave MEL on its way to LOP (Lombok) in Indonesia.

[Greg Hyde]

VH-RYU was deleted from the VH-Reg on 11/09/24 as Exported to - Guernsey

[Stirling D]

VH-RYU was deleted from the VH-Reg on 11/09/24 as Exported to - Guernsey

Rereg 2-HRYU.

2-HPAG
2-HREX
2-HRQC
2-HRQP are all reserved on the 2- reg.

[Tristan S]

RQP just about to leave MEL on its way to LOP (Lombok) in Indonesia.

Then to CGK

[Tristan S]

RQP just about to leave MEL on its way to LOP (Lombok) in Indonesia.

Then to CGK

[MarkR]

RQP is getting engineering checks done then will be back with VA

[Greg Hyde]

Reportedly VA will pick up 3 x ex-REX B737 leases

[Greg Hyde]

VH-REX is scheduled to fly to Lombok, Indonesia later this morning.

I expect it will be joining VH-RQP in Tangerang, Indonesia

[Stuart McCarthy]

VH-8ZL was cancelled of the VH register to Guernsey on 24-9-24

[MarkR]

Wouldn’t be surprised if this thread needs a title change to Rex Fleet in coming days, the upcoming 4 corners story wont enhance the diminishing chances of them surviving. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-27/flight-club/104407282

[Steve S... 2]

Then I would suggest QF hold on to their DH8-2's and DH83's - they may be needed.

[Brenden S]

The problem is Steve is that Qlink can't crew the additional Q400's coming into service and the classic Dash 8's.

[Tony JC]

QLink have no problem crewing the current and future Dash 8 fleet so your statement is inaccurate. External recruitment is currently slowing down to allow the many internal training events that need to occur to move all crew to the Q400.

The Dash 8 fleet is also currently covering for the poor Ejet reliability so most definitely no shortage of crew.

[Greg Hyde]

VH-8ZL was cancelled of the VH register to Guernsey on 24-9-24

Became 2-VHZL on 24/09/24

[Dylan Hardie]

PAG leaving Melbourne today for Nadi

[Ayden H]

Heading for MZJ?

[Tristan S]

PAG leaving Melbourne today for Nadi

Slight delay, has just left MEL

[Stuart McCarthy]

Diverting to BNE

[Dylan Hardie]

HF Issues

[MarkR]

VH-REX is scheduled to fly to Lombok, Indonesia later this morning.

I expect it will be joining VH-RQP in Tangerang, Indonesia

VA are taking those 2 only now.

[Dylan Hardie]

PAG due out at 9am to Guam

[Greg Hyde]

PAG due out at 9am to Guam

and Clarke Field (maybe)

[Tristan S]

8ZL (now 2-VHZL) has left BNE for BME

[Ayden H]

Onwards to either LDE or LFBF

[Greg Hyde]

PAG due out at 9am to Guam

PAG has continued her ferry to HNL.

[Ayden H]

2-VHZL is scheduled to depart Broome for Hambanota, Sri Lanka in 1 hour and 15 minutes (0800 AWST, 1100 AEDT)

[Ayden H]

PAG has continued her ferry to HNL.

Likely bound for MZJ or VCV.

[Ayden H]

2-VHZL has landed in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates on 9/10/2024 at 16:15 local time (23:15 AEDT)

[Greg Hyde]

PAG has completed her ferry to MZJ

[Zac M]

So if I’m correct the ZL fleet is dispersed as follows:
RQC Parked ADL 30 July
RQG Partially Scrapped ASP 9 March
RQP Parked CGK 14 September
RYU Parked MZJ 7 September
REX Parked CGK 23 September
PAG Parked MZJ 9 October
MFM Parked MEL 30 July
8ZL enroute to storage/new operator 10 October
8JS stored ASP 30 August
8KH stored ASP 11 September

[Ayden H]

Correct. I think 8ZL might be in storage at AAN though.

[Dylan Hardie]

RYU and RQC to be scrapped

RQP and REX both due to Virgin late Nov

8ZL going into Storage in Prague

PAG was bound for Virgin but will be in storage in MZJ now

MFM was being towed around Melbourne today

[Stuart McCarthy]

MFM just filed flight plan MEL-MEL test flight 1:30pm

[Dylan Hardie]

MFM off to DPS

[Ayden H]

Could 8ZL possibly be off to Smartwings? Prague being chosen to park it makes it seem as such

[Yusef D]

Apparently RQP and REX will keep these regos when they rejoin Virgin.

Weird having REX on a Virgin jet.

VUU is available, BZG is not.

[Greg Hyde]

BZG "Brett's Jet" was named after Brett & Zahra Godfrey (Virgin Blue’s first CEO) and traded with the original owner of the rego for the all costs of transfer & repaint and a VA holiday.

[Ayden H]

BZG "Brett's Jet" was named after Brett & Zahra Godfrey (Virgin Blue’s first CEO) and traded with the original owner of the rego for the all costs of transfer & repaint and a VA holiday.

VH-BZG was originally going to be VH-VUW, since taken by another VA 737. Interesting to note, BZG also belonged to an Ansett 767-300ER at one point as well.

[MarkR]

VH-BZG was originally going to be VH-VUW, since taken by another VA 737. Interesting to note, BZG also belonged to an Ansett 767-300ER at one point as well.

The only BZG in the AN fleet was a convair leased from HA AFAIK

[Greg Hyde]

VH-BZG(1) Convair
VH-BZG(2) which swapped regos was a PA-28-161 Warrior II becoming VH-EHL (2)
VH-BZG(3) VA
VH-BZG(4) Bell 505 Jet Ranger X (Current)

[Ayden H]

The only BZG in the AN fleet was a convair leased from HA AFAIK

Apologies, yeah you're correct I was thinking about BZI.

[Greg Hyde]

Apologies, yeah you're correct I was thinking about BZI.

Ansett had BZF/I/L/M/N

[Stuart McCarthy]

MFM off to DPS


MFM is still in DPS, did it go tech?

[Robert.M]

Might be getting paint/maintenance done?

[Stuart McCarthy]

MFM was canx from VH register on 16/10/24 on export to Bermuda.

[Stirling D]

Might be getting paint/maintenance done?

FLTechnics do have a Maintenance facility there. So quite possible

[Greg Hyde]

VH-PAG was deleted from the VH-Reg on 14/10/24 as exported to Guernsey

[Ayden H]

VH-PAG was deleted from the VH-Reg on 14/10/24 as exported to Guernsey

2-HPAG

[Yusef D]

RQP and REX to (re)join VA fleet by late Nov to be in service by holiday peak.

[MarkR]

RQC is headed to the USA from Adelaide today, first stop Nadi

[Tristan S]

Has diverted to MEL, saw a comment that it was due to an issue with the HF radio which, IIRC, is the same as what happened with PAG.

[Robert.M]

New flight plan for 3:30pm MEL-NAN.

[Robert.M]

Looks like it will remain in MEL overnight. Heard it was a fuel pump issue.

[Ayden H]

I have a hunch that 8ZL will be going to Smartwings.

[Tristan S]

RQC has left MEL to NAN.

[Stuart McCarthy]

RQC has arrived at Marana

[Greg Hyde]

RQC was deleted from the VH-Reg on 13/11/24 as Exported to - Guernsey

[Lauren J]

Now confirmed that REX and RQP will enter service with VA under their current registrations.

[Stuart McCarthy]

VH-REX flight planned CGK-MEL as VOZ9944 eta MEL approx 2330 tonight. Subject to change.

[Greg Hyde]

Do we know if VH-REX has had a repaint ?

[Ayden H]

2-VHZL (ex VH-8ZL) is now stored at Saltillo in Mexico since 12/11/24. I believe it is getting converted to a freighter for Aeronaves TSM (a Mexican cargo airline whose main base is at Saltillo) by AEI leased from ACS, the same lessor for some of the other ex ZL planes.

[Stirling D]

2012 build feels quite young for a freighter.

Doesn’t look like anyone does conversions there either. It looks like there is a MRO for checks / painting. Not conversions.

[MarkR]

2-VHZL (ex VH-8ZL) is now stored at Saltillo in Mexico since 12/11/24. I believe it is getting converted to a freighter for Aeronaves TSM (a Mexican cargo airline whose main base is at Saltillo) by AEI leased from ACS, the same lessor for some of the other ex ZL planes.

Be a bit modern for them given they have mostly mad dogs and 733/34s

[Ayden H]

Considering a good chunk of their fleet is over 40 years old (some even 50+) it's about time for them to get an upgrade :D

[Dylan Hardie]

RQP was due Wednesday to Mebourne as VA9944 but has since been canceled

[Robert.M]

Well that a surprise! :p

[Ayden H]

VH-MFM was re-registered as VP-BLI on 16/10/24.

[Ayden H]

VH-MFM has now been registered to a Robinson R44 helicopter, lots of them in Australia.

[Stirling D]

2-HPAG operated a test flight yesterday; MZJ-MZJ as OMD408

[Greg Hyde]

OMD is Nomadic (ferry group)

2-HPAG was test flown prior to a ferry/delivery to an unnamed (at this time) Ukrainian charter airline

[Ayden H]

OMD is Nomadic (ferry group)

2-HPAG was test flown prior to a ferry/delivery to an unnamed (at this time) Ukrainian charter airline

It'd be Skyline Express.

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 737-8EH 39604 4160 5Y-CYF Kenya Airways delivery 13feb25 SLW-CAY ex 2-VHZL

[Ayden H]

Boeing 737-8EH 39604 4160 5Y-CYF Kenya Airways delivery 13feb25 SLW-CAY ex 2-VHZL

SLW-CAY-ACC-NBO

[Ayden H]

Current ex-ZL fleet disposition:

VH-8KH - stored ASP
VH-8JS - stored ASP
VH-8ZL -> 2-VHZL DAE Capital -> 5Y-CYF Kenya Airways lsd DAE 13/2/25
VH-MFM -> VP-BLI Carlyle Aviation Partners 16/10/24, stored DPS
VH-PAG -> 2-HPAG Aero Capital Solutions -> UR-? Skyline Express lsd ACS, stored MZJ
VH-REX -> VH-REX Virgin Australia lsd ACS
VH-RQC -> 2-HRQC ACS, stored MZJ being parted out
VH-RQG -> Withdrawn 25/2/24, VH-RQG Banc of America Leasing, stored ASP being parted out
VH-RQP -> VH-RQP Virgin Australia lsd ACS
VH-RYU -> 2-HRYU ACS, stored MZJ being parted out

[Lauren J]

Current ex-ZL fleet disposition:

VH-8KH - stored ASP
VH-8JS - stored ASP
VH-8ZL -> 2-VHZL DAE Capital -> 5Y-CYF Kenya Airways lsd DAE 13/2/25
VH-MFM -> VP-BLI Carlyle Aviation Partners 16/10/24, stored DPS
VH-PAG -> 2-HPAG Aero Capital Solutions -> UR-? Skyline Express lsd ACS, stored MZJ
VH-REX -> VH-REX Virgin Australia lsd ACS
VH-RQC -> 2-HRQC ACS, stored MZJ being parted out
VH-RQG -> Withdrawn 25/2/24, VH-RQG Banc of America Leasing, stored ASP being parted out
VH-RQP -> VH-RQP Virgin Australia lsd ACS
VH-RYU -> 2-HRYU ACS, stored MZJ being parted out

Thanks for this Ayden!

[Yusef D]

Stored at DPS is an... interesting decision. Very salty humid air.

And the ex-Silkair jets still not taken up. Odd. They're not old and they are in demand.

[Stuart McCarthy]

VH-8JS departed ASP this morning for CGK

[Ayden H]

UR-SQN was added to the UR-reg on 26/2/25 with SkyUp Airlines ex 2-HPAG

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 737-8FE 37821 3288 UR-SQN SkyUp Airlines delivery 07-08mar25 MZJ-BGR-KEF ex 2-HPAG

[Ayden H]

Boeing 737-8FE 37821 3288 UR-SQN SkyUp Airlines delivery 07-08mar25 MZJ-BGR-KEF ex 2-HPAG

Still in Rex livery. I expect it to head to either OSR or NWI for a repaint.

[Tristan S]

VH-8KH has left ASP en route to CGK
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-8kh

[Greg Hyde]

VH-8JS was deleted from the VH-Reg on 25/03/2025 as exported to Indonesia

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 737-8SA 44217 4765 PK-GUI Garuda Indonesia first in svc 31may25 CGK-SUB-CGK ex VH-8KH

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 737-8SA 44217 4765 PK-GUI Garuda Indonesia first in svc 31may25 CGK-SUB-CGK ex VH-8KH

Deleted from the VH-Reg on 01/04/25

[Greg Hyde]

VH-8JS was deleted from the VH-Reg on 25/03/2025 as exported to Indonesia

Also joined Garuda Indonesia as PK-GUI or PK-GUH

Seems to be some confusion with the two REX's arriving.

[Ayden H]

Is MFM going to Garuda as well? It's been sitting in Denpasar since October.

[Stuart McCarthy]

VH-MFM ferried MEL-DPS on 12-10-24, went into hangar on south side of airport, noted pinging on FR24 inside the hangar.

VH-8JS ferried ASP-CGK on 27-2-25 as VH8JS, on 12-3-25 it did test flight CGK-CGK, on 15-3-25 it flew CGK-KUL-CGK.

VH-8KH ferried ASP-CGK on 17-3-25 as VH8KH, on 25-3-25 it did test flight CGK-CGK.

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 737-85R 42805 5184 VP-BLI Carlyle Aviation Partners ferried 16apr25 DPS-CGK on delivery to Garuda Indonesia? ex VH-MFM

[Ayden H]

Boeing 737-85R 42805 5184 VP-BLI Carlyle Aviation Partners ferried 16apr25 DPS-CGK on delivery to Garuda Indonesia? ex VH-MFM

If it is for GA then it will likely become PK-GUJ.

[Ayden H]

PK-GUH (ex VH-8KH) entered service with Garuda the other day.
https://cdn.plnspttrs.net/35956/pk-guh-garuda-indonesia-boeing-737-8sa-wl_PlanespottersNet_1757040_e5eceeeceb_o.jpg

[Ayden H]

VP-BLI was moved back to Denpasar on 2/5/25.

[Ayden H]

2-HRQC is now partially scrapped.
https://scontent.fbne5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/495571735_2210755829374399_5672724833210360894_n.j pg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=3EKR59YfJjAQ7kNvwHqrCkV&_nc_oc=Adku6sgP3PhJanYiz_wioyhMMZnDh18DJvv0nPQWVjM iz_Oz0x8JMP9GsoRBP-g6rpXYukFuSBA2dFJkpqAKk_XG&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fbne5-1.fna&_nc_gid=8mxU-lYqizYkqpYvKZz9tw&oh=00_AfJXeTPXDK9tmJOKx1g5h_WWc6HarU4k2K29oQGYNVze Tw&oe=6823E2D9