The inaugural Regional Express (Rex) service from Griffith to Melbourne commences this coming Monday (2 July).
The new service will depart Griffith at 6.55am Monday morning arriving in Melbourne at 8.10am.
On board the first flight will be the Mayor of Griffith, Councillor Dino Zappacosta, Councillors, State Member Adrian Piccoli MP, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Craig Tilston and of course the inaugural passengers for the flight.
Geoff Breust, Rex’s Managing Director, will join the dignitaries in Melbourne for breakfast and the return flight to Griffith. On arrival at Griffith at 10.15am a special ceremony to mark the inaugural Melbourne flight will be conducted at Griffith Airport.
The Mayor of Griffith, Councillor Zappacosta said: “Council, local business and the whole community are delighted this initiative has come to fruition. This new service opens up a whole new opportunity for Griffith. It will assist business, economic development, tourism and social amenity by providing effective access to Melbourne and another option to Sydney,”
“I am looking forward to travelling on the inaugural flight.”
“The great benefit of the new Rex service is the ability for both Griffith and Melbourne residents to conduct their business in the city or the region and return in the single day. The weekend schedule also provides for weekends away for both Griffith and Melbourne residents”, Councillor Zappacosta said.
Rex’s Melbourne schedule provides twelve return 34 seat Saab 340 services each week – 816 seats (42,000 annually). A special introductory fare of $109 one way for sale via the web is available until 31 July.
The new Melbourne service has enabled Rex to add further flights on the Griffith – Sydney route with an additional weekday return bringing the weekday schedule to five return services.
Operating the inaugural Melbourne service is the first of Rex’s Saab 340 B Plus aircraft which recently arrived from the United States as part of a 25 aircraft acquisition program. This aircraft is the latest generation incorporating an updated interior, extended wing tips to enhance take-off performance especially in hot weather on shorter runways like Griffith, as well as an Active Noise Cancellation system which reduces cabin noise in flight.
Mr Breust said early bookings were light but that was expected as word about the service was yet to permeate widely.
“We re conducting an advertising campaign in Griffith, including advice to all households. Special flyers have been printed and are available for Griffith businesses and residents to send to their contacts in Melbourne to spread the word about the service,” Mr Breust said.
Councillor Zappacosta re-iterated his earlier comments that it was now up to the community to support the service by using it.
“I urge everyone in Griffith to not only use the new service but also spread the word about it. Rex’s schedule, Saab aircraft and very affordable fares is a major plus for our city and the region. The service is there – we now need to use it,” Councillor Zappacosta said.
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