Regional Express : Rex Announced Devonport Tickets on Sale

11 JULY 2022

MEDIA RELEASE

REX ANNOUNCES DEVONPORT TICKETS ON SALE

Rex today announced tickets are now on sale for its much-anticipated new Melbourne- Devonport route, which will commence services on 19 August.

At the core of Rex's new Devonport service is a twice-daily weekday service that facilitates day-return travel from Melbourne and Devonport in both directions, with Melbournians now finally able to arrive in Devonport before 9am (flight schedule in Annex A).

"We have been solicited for years to end the suffering of the local community, which has endured almost two decades of high prices and unreliable services by QantasLink, the incumbent monopoly operator," said Warrick Lodge, Rex General Manager of Network Strategy.

"In May, for example, QantasLink had an On Time Performance of 60.7% (way below the records set by Tiger before it closed down), compared to Rex's 76.9% for regional services*.

"We are immensely pleased that today we are finally able to respond to their pleas," Mr Lodge said.

"For the first time ever, Rex's trademark and highly sought-after Community Fare scheme will be brought to Devonport, priced at an affordable $149 each way**."

"Rex and its predecessor airline Kendell Airlines serviced the Melbourne-Devonport route between 1989 and 2005, so it is somewhat of a nostalgic return for us. August 2022 is a milestone month for Rex as it will mark our 20th Birthday, and it is fitting that we are able to commence the Devonport service in this month as part of our anniversary celebrations."

"Rex's convenient flight schedule, affordable fares and superior reliability will deliver the much- needed socio-economic benefits to the communities of Devonport and the northwest coast of Tasmania as they recover from the devastation of the pandemic."

Devonport is Rex's third destination in Tasmania as the airline already operates frequent services to Burnie and King Island.

The route's relaunch forms part of Rex's new regional network strategy which involves significant increases in services to major regional centres including Wagga Wagga, Albury, Dubbo, Orange, and Mildura that will see Rex's regional passenger numbers significantly exceed pre-COVID levels.

"Rex will continue to evaluate opportunities to fly to other Tasmanian cities in the future and we welcome expressions of interest from these local communities," Mr Lodge added.

The Rex Devonport services from 19 August are now on sale at www.rex.com.auor via the local travel agent.

*Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), June 2022.

**The Rex Community Fare is subject to community fare availability outside of 30 days prior to departure, with all remaining unsold seats available as $149 Community Fares within the last 24 hours prior to departure.

Annex A

Melbourne to Devonport

Flight		Dep time	Arr time	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
ZL3513		7:00am	8:20am						
ZL3531		5:00pm	6:20pm							
Devonport to Melbourne
Flight		Dep time	Arr time	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
ZL3514		8:45am	10:00am						
ZL3532		6:45pm	8:00pm							

Rex is Australia's largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 and 6 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to 58 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.

Rex Media Contact: [phone], [e-mail]