REX adds 12th domestic route with Perth-Adelaide flights

Rex has achieved another marketplace milestone, announcing three flights a week between Adelaide and Perth, just three years on from its move into Australia’s domestic aviation sector.

Rex will fly between Perth and Adelaide on Embraer E-190 jets operated by its Group member National Jet Express (NJE), offering one-way fares from as low as $249 economy, expanding Rex’s domestic footprint.

Headquartered at Perth with hubs around the country including in Adelaide and Brisbane, NJE is one of Australia’s leading charter operators and forms part of the Rex Group.

NJE Director Anthony Gibara said flights on the new route are on sale now for travel from 28 June, 2024 onwards and come just days after news of Rex’s Melbourne-Perth launch.

“This is terrific news for Perth and Adelaide travellers because more operators means more competition but in the case of Rex, it also means better service and reliability,” Gibara said.

“There were almost 85 cancelled flights by Virgin and Qantas carriers on this route in the first four months of 2024 and in the case of Virgin, its on-time arrivals and departures were terrible.

“Just 56 per cent of its flights arrived on time during that period, while its on time departures were only slightly better at 59 per cent. Travellers deserve better and they will get it with Rex.

“And we intend to increase the number of services once we are established on the route.”

Figures show almost 630,000 passengers flew between Adelaide and Perth last year. The NJE Embraer E-190 jets, which will be ticketed as Rex flights, seat more than 100 passengers. The new route is now the 12th domestic service for the Rex Group which flies to major capital cities and popular destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and the Gold Coast.

South Australia Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the new Rex service will help entice more visitors to South Australia from what is the state’s fourth largest interstate market.

“It is very welcome news that Rex will start flying Perth to Adelaide, adding more flights into our state and offering another option for visitors from WA to see South Australia,” Bettison said.

“The commencement of an extra three flights a week from Perth to Adelaide is timed perfectly to coincide with the start of WA school holidays. I encourage Western Australians to take advantage of this new service and come and visit South Australia and experience our great food and wine, natural beauty and exciting events.”

Western Australia Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Tourism and Transport Rita Saffioti said the new route is the second domestic Rex service into Perth, which is great news for travellers and tourism.

“We’re always excited to welcome more flights into Western Australia from other states as it helps to boost tourism and provide more travel options for visitors.

“Of course, I have no doubt this announcement will also be warmly welcomed by tourism and
hospitality operators who will also benefit from more people visiting WA.”

Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox congratulated Rex for its continued strong support of the Adelaide market.

“Rex has been a wonderful supporter of the Adelaide market, including regional links, for many years, and today’s announcement builds on the introduction of services from Adelaide to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane over the past three years,” Cox said.

“It’s great to witness Rex’s growth in the domestic market and offering more choice for travellers on one of our key domestic routes – in this case just in time for the July school holidays. The new service also will help fill a capacity gap and stimulate traffic volumes on this route.”

Perth Airport’s chief commercial and aviation officer Kate Holsgrove said that it is great to see Rex Airlines expand their route offerings to the Western Australian market.

“Currently Rex operate four successful regional services within Western Australia. The introduction of Rex’s new interstate routes from our Terminal 2 is a sure sign of their confidence in the Perth market,” she said.

“This gives Western Australians more options for travel and we look forward to working with the Rex Airline team to ensure the new routes are successful.”

Rex has timed the departure of its first flights between the two cities to coincide with the start of WA school holidays, while winter break for South Austalian school kids is only a week later. All fares include checked baggage and refreshments for travellers.

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of Boeing 737-800NG and Saab 340 aircraft to 56 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), the Australian Airline Pilot Academy with campuses in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat, and propeller maintenance organisation, Australian Aerospace Propeller Maintenance.

Rex is a 50 per cent shareholder of National Jet Express (NJE), a premier Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO), charter and freight operator.