The REX media release gives no further information on the source of the additional two B738s. We'll have to wait for the rumour mill!

https://www.rex.com.au/MediaAndPress...st.aspx?y=2021

Executive Traveller is saying that the two additional B738s are expected to be ex-Virgin aircraft:

Source: https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...yes-new-routes

I have sort of replied to this one in the Virgin thread.

Cheers.

Does that mean the two 738's are VUI & VUJ ?

* Just read the other thread (and I thought so).

Yes Steve, it looks as though the two B738s will be N341CG & N343CG currently in storage at GYR in the US. They were VH-VUI & VUJ when flying for Virgin.

Rex have suspended 737 ops as well as many regional flights immediately, although in reality in the case of the 737s it was last Sunday.

Mark,

I read that they were only flying in WA and all other flights were suspended due to the lockdowns

This the pertinent paragraph from the official REX media release which is pretty vague and refers to all states where REX operates except WA.

Rex announced to the market today that they were extending current flying suspensions until Oct 31

RYU planned for a MEL-MEL test flight this afternoon

RYU is off to XSP via DRW today.

Using the rego as the callsign

Due into Brisbane mid next week

That's pretty quick for maintenance that needs to be done overseas.

Apparently only up there for 5 days

5 days isn't heavy maintenance. But could be engine changes or gear changes etc.

I flew on RQP just before the shutdown and they were testing their wifi, RYU and PAG were both wifi-less, could it be to have the wifi fitted?


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I wonder if VOR and VUD could be Rex's Nos 7 and 8. Both are at ASP ex Tiger.

Possible, but they have now both been removed from the AU register though.

RYU was having its landing gear replaced.

"Rex said today one of the airline’s Boeing 737-800NGs had been sent to Singapore for scheduled
maintenance work at a world-renowned MRO facility.
The aircraft, VH-RYU, is one of six 737s in the Rex fleet and flew from Melbourne to Singapore
via Darwin last Saturday.
The 737 is undergoing a scheduled replacement of the entire landing gear assembly in
accordance with the Boeing maintenance program.
The work is being conducted by a specialist team from ST Engineering at its MRO facility in
Seletar Aerospace Park.
The aircraft, again operated by a Rex crew, is scheduled to depart Singapore on November 6 and
will fly direct to Melbourne.
"

Source: https://www.rex.com.au/MediaAndPress...st.aspx?y=2021

15 NOVEMBER 2021

MEDIA RELEASE

REX ADDS BRISBANE TO DOMESTIC NETWORK
 Melbourne-Brisbane starts December 17
 Double-daily flights
 Sale fares from $79
 No blackout dates
 Rex Reconnect sale extended
Rex today announced the launch of double-daily flights between Melbourne and Brisbane from
next month.
Brisbane becomes the fifth capital city destination in the Rex domestic network, enabling the
airline to take a major step towards realising its long stated goal of servicing the so-called ‘Golden
Triangle’ (Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane).
The announcement coincided with the reopening of the domestic network with flights from
Melbourne to Sydney and Canberra resuming this morning as regional operations were also
ramping up. Sydney-Canberra, Sydney-Port Macquarie and Sydney-Coffs Harbour services
restarted today along with more flights to a raft of NSW regional centres.
Melbourne-Brisbane operations will begin on December 17 with double daily flights on weekdays
and a return service on both Saturday and Sunday. Special $79 fares from Melbourne are on sale
until November 30 for travel up to April 30, 2022.
Importantly, just like all other Rex Reconnect fares announced recently, there will be no Christmas
holiday blackout dates on flights to Brisbane.
Rex has extended the Reconnect sale, which had been due to end last night, until November 30.
“All of our launch flights to new destinations have proved to be enormously popular and I have no
doubt Brisbane will be the same, particularly with such affordable fares,” Rex Deputy Chairman,
the Hon John Sharp AM, said.
“Rex is a full service airline so these fares represent incredible value. Unlike our competitors, Rex
passengers don’t get slugged with hidden or extra costs as all fares on our domestic jet network
include free 23kg checked baggage and refreshments on board.”
Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed the addition of Rex flights from
Melbourne to Brisbane Airport’s arrivals schedule.
“This is great news for Queensland tourism operators and family reunions,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We know there’s pent-up demand among Victorians for a Queensland summer holiday getaway
and today’s announcement by Rex opens new options.
“The Palaszczuk Government continues to support Queensland airports to rebuild flight
schedules because we understand the importance of aviation to the State’s tourism industry.”
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) Chief Executive Officer, Gert-Jan de Graaff, echoed these
sentiments, adding: “As we celebrate the upcoming reopening of the Victorian and Queensland
borders, this announcement is wonderful news for travellers who will now have more options to
travel between Brisbane and Melbourne.


“We expect these flights to be popular as travellers reconnect with family and friends or take a
well-earned holiday to explore two of Australia’s best cities.
“I congratulate John Sharp and the entire Rex team on today’s announcement and look forward
to supporting these new services and building on the strong partnership that’s already developed
between BAC and Rex Airlines.”
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation, Lorie Argus, said: “Melbourne is already Rex’s largest jet
hub, and today’s announcement is a further vote of confidence in Victoria.
“Since launching their first flight from Melbourne in March, Rex has brought renewed competition
to domestic travel and we expect this expansion will help stimulate demand even further.”
Rex also revealed it was well advanced with plans to begin flying to major Queensland regional
centres and tourist destinations.
“We have no intention of stopping our growth as we’re determined to make up for time lost due
to the pandemic and push ahead with plans to expand our network, particularly in Queensland,”
said Mr Sharp.
Mr Sharp said Rex would base a Boeing 737-800NG in Brisbane which would underpin the
airline’s Queensland expansion.
“Every time we’ve entered a new market, airfares have fallen dramatically as Qantas and Virgin
Australia scramble to match our prices and I have no doubt this will be the case again,” Mr Sharp
said.
“Consumers are the big winners from competition and Rex will continue to champion the cause
of safe, reliable and affordable air travel.”
Rex is the only airline in Australia that offers a COVID Refund policy for new bookings, which
guarantees full refunds for any passenger affected by COVID-related cancellations, re-
scheduling, border closures or travel restrictions.

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.

VH-REX ferried SYD-BNE ZL9912 and will remain in Brisbane for the week for training

Rex to go to 14 737s
 

Madness!

https://australianaviation.com.au/20...-from-6-to-14/

The Samoa 737 parked up in Brisbane is due to leased by Rex. Currently completing it's return to service. Will then get a C check completed, painting and a new cabin fitting. VOS will also follow shortly after

I guess VOS wasnt as badly corroded as I had heard it to be!

Where will the C check be done?

Rex takes fight to Qantas and Virgin [Jets for REX?]
 

I wonder if ZL will also take up VUA which is still stored in MEL I believe.


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Wouldn't surprise me, similar age and the same lessor.

The Samoa 737-800 I am thinking of is only 7 years old so it must have Sky Interior, a first for REX.

Rex - Regional Express (ZL, Wagga Wagga) has been conducting due diligence for a possible acquisition of Cobham Aviation Services Australia - Regional (JTE, Adelaide) and may make a bid in the coming weeks, sources have told The Australian Financial Review.

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/n...ervices-report

Rex are pulling out of Sydney Canberra, with all these route changes it reminds me of another airline or two, Strategic & Jetgo.

I think that would have applied more to Link.

SYD-CBR is always to going to focus on business travellers, and many under Government contract. Going head to head with QF and VA (Link operated) must not have left enough spoils for Rex on the route

Have been on several MEL-CBR flights and they have been near full, must be a Sydney thing...

At least they are making the right decisions now and not running the route at a loss for a long period of time.

I see the Samoa 737 (now 2-WTFL) is currently en route to MPL, is this where the C Check will be performed?

Boeing 737 -85R 42805 5184 2-WTFL Carlyle Aviation Partners ferried 26-28may22 MEL-DRW-KUL-AUH-CAI-MPL ex 5W-TFL

More cuts
 

Rex is cutting services to

Lismore
Grafton
Ballina
Bathurst
Kangaroo Island

Eff jul 2 when the govt money stops

Surprise surprise....

The two main problems with SYD-CBR are that:
(a) to a far greater extent than MEL-CBR, the competition isn't only other airlines but also the train, the coach (Murrays in particular) and private car; and
(b) a significant portion of SYD-CBR traffic is connecting.

Rex behaved on the SYD-CBR route as though they knew the train and the bus were just as much their competition as Qantas and VA/Link - price-wise, I mean - but VA seemed able to fairly closely match them.

I think Rex's main problems were the lack of connecting options over SYD and not being part of either QFF or Velocity.

I'd like to know what Delta thinks of all these network changes Rex is making - especially the SYD-CBR route.

I think they figure the slots are better utilised than SYD-CBR also. Lack of slots is a common problem these days which is restricting expansion for airlines like LINK.

SYD-CBR is also "seasonal" with more traffic when Parliament is sitting.

The ET Article here:
https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...frequent-flyer
Reports that REX will see its 7th jet later in the month, this will be the ex-Samoa aircraft and will be registered VH-MFM
https://www.planespotters.net/airfra...leasing/edz6p9

MFM due into Brisbane on the 17th and will be staying in Brisbane for a week before entering service out of BNE

Skyliner has VH-MFM leaving around today or tomorrow on it's flight to BNE.

MPL-DWC is the first leg.