Twelve months ago, Burnie City Council, Burnie Airport Corporation and Regional Express Airlines (Rex) entered into a special and historic partnership arrangement which resulted in Rex introducing more flights and a much improved schedule between Burnie Airport and Melbourne.
In the wake of the QantasLink withdrawal from the Burnie route in July 2006, the partnership has seen Rex provide additional aircraft and crew resources to the Burnie to Melbourne route, which increased the frequency of flights to five return services each day.
Commenting on the continued agreement, Rex General Manager Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge said, “Today we can announce that Burnie Airport Corporation, Burnie City Council and Rex have agreed to extend this unique partnership for a further three years through until June 2010. This will see Rex add more flights on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, increasing the number of daily return flights to six. This will take the annual number of seats on the route to more than 130,000 from 116,000.”
The partnership agreement commits Rex to investing heavily in the provision of affordable fares and additional flights while the airport commits to keeping its head tax stable and consistent throughout the period.
“It is quite amazing that in comparison to when two airlines were competing head to head on the Burnie route, that Rex is today carrying more total passengers with cheaper fares and a more convenient and frequent schedule. Rex fares start from $105, which is the same fare price that has remained in place since May 2006,” Mr Lodge said.
Mr Paul Arnold, Chairman of Burnie Airport Corporation said, “We are thrilled that the relationship with Rex is now providing six options on many days to fly in and out of Burnie. This type of schedule was just not possible with two operators, so we are now confident of stable air services for the next three years. We congratulate Rex on delivering investment into this partnership.”
Rex has already implemented the additional flights effective from Monday 10 September 2007 and the services are currently on sale via www.rex.com.au or through the local travel agent. Further increases in the number of flights have also been made between 17 December 2007 and 3 February 2008, which will see the six return flights operating on most days throughout this period.
“Through this partnership agreement we have demonstrated that all stakeholders can benefit – the airport through steady increases in head tax revenues year on year, the community through lower fares and more frequent services and Rex through higher passenger numbers,” Mr Lodge said.
Rex Schedule prior to 10 September 2007
Rex Schedule from 10 September 2007
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