Originally Posted by
Deano969
REX needs to seriously look at a split fleet for regional
Perhaps Q400s or Q300s as they now have with Cobham for busier routes, although this would involve security screening
Then on thinner routes, perhaps new Cessna 408s although range is a bit iffy, considering their load factors 19 seats may be about right for short hops
Q300s might be an option if the new company (Longview/Viking) starts building them again. 408s are freighters, fat and slow, a Dornier (now HAL) 228 would be better suited 19 seater for passenger ops, more economical and slightly faster. But from what I've heard 19 seaters cost as much as the SAAB 340 to operate with how lean Rex has things. So why would you ditch a 34 seater for a 19 seater for a serious downgrade in passenger comfort and no reduction in ticket price. The only motivation to renew fleet is to gain benefits of new aircraft, which is lower operating costs and better reliability. If its lack of staff/slow parts delivery causing the reliability issues then nothing will change with a new aircraft.