This slot issue keeps coming up
Don't really know what the answer is, however, for slots to be tied up by QF/JQ and VA to the point that the likes of REX or any other newcomer for that matter, can't obtain any peak hour slots can only be seen as either anticompetitive or duopolistic
Just as there are allowances for terminal space for smaller players, there should be something done for slots
3 suggestions
REX specific, allow a couple of regional slots to be converted for Jet ops
A few extra movements per hour during peak
Capping frequency to a maximum of 45 minutes between any city pair for any airline or 30 minutes for an airline group such as QF/JQ whilst encouraging them to use larger aircraft rather than greater frequency
That said, these slot issues may indeed sort itself out when SWA opens in a few years, or certainly should or some action would need to be taken