Rex - Changes to AirLink/Axing 6 Ports

[David B.]

Change to Air Link Operations

Rex will axe the following routes with effect 21DEC: Bourke
Cobar
Coonamble
Lightning Ridge
Walgett
Mudgee
Bathurst will see SF3s once again, which is one positive announcement in this overly negative announcement.

Shame to see Air Link ceasing RPT pax services. Have had the opportunity to fly the Beech 1900D DBO-SYD and I can certainly say it was a memorable experience, especially when coming in to land on 16R.

Mudgee at least has the luxury of being close to Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst, all of which have regular SF3 services (when serivces to the Hurst change to SF3 next month).

You can view the REX media release here (http://www.rex.com.au/MediaAndPressClippings/ShowNews.aspx?Site=IR&nid=196)

[Mick B]

Wow...does this mean Airlink is being wound up completely or will continue in a charter capacity only? Places like Cobar and Bourke especially rely heavily on the Airlink RPT.

Must admit I didn't see this one coming...although they have struggled to find pilots (at least on the conditions they were offering!) for a while now.

[Chris W]

As the media release suggests, Airlink will be wound up completely as an RPT operator, it will continue in a charter capacity. All routes except for Bathurst and Dubbo will cease RPT operations, with the former being transfered to REX operations.

This does not seem to be motivated by the lack of pilots, more so a uncertainty on the federal governments subsidy on the thinner routes that Airlink operated to, so they have been dropped rather than run them at a loss.