Rex Update On Funding Approval For Regional Services

Regional Express (Rex) is pleased to today announce the confirmation of additional regional services funded by both Federal and State Governments. In total, Rex will now be operating 88 weekly return services under the various funding arrangements.

This follows the COVID-19 Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program announced by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), the Hon Michael McCormack, on 28 March 2020. Under the program, regional airlines will be provided assistance to maintain a minimal weekly schedule to regional and remote ports. The RANS program will provide funding for up to six months with an initial approval for six weeks.

Under revised Grant guidelines, Rex is eligible to receive funding to operate 2-3 return services a week to all destinations on the Rex network. Rex's application for the ports it wishes to provide services to has been approved and was signed off on 23 April 2020. In addition to the Federal Government funding package, three State Governments, Queensland, Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA), have also committed to funding additional services. An agreement with the Queensland Government has been signed and agreements with the Western Australia and South Australia Governments will be confirmed in the days ahead. Details of both the Commonwealth-funded and State-funded services are given in the Appendix. Most services are already open for sale and the few remaining will be implemented in the weeks ahead.

Rex's Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM said, "Regional Australia owes the DPM Michael McCormack and the Morrison Government a great debt of gratitude for providing funding to ensure that it continues to receive minimal essential air links to the capital cities for medical, professional and other essential travel needs. Without this intervention, many smaller regional communities would risk not having any air services at all for at least six months. Those in Queensland, WA and SA should also acknowledge the contribution of their state governments in funding more services."

"With the Commonwealth assistance packages for regional carriers in place, we are confident that we will be able to help all regional communities who are willing to work in partnership with us to rebuild their regional air services to their full potential over the next two years. Rex will stand by all regional communities that have stood by Rex during this global and national crisis."