Originally Posted by
PoppaJo
Can you elaborate on what you actually mean by that?
Meaning REX don't see a future in being a stand alone regional that serves every tin pot airport that no one else bothers to serve
Prior to VA going busto, they were somewhat happy being the above and they had a reasonable association with VA happily pushing passengers to each other
When VA failed there were 2 factors leading to their foray into their jet age
1) They could be the next VA similar to when AN sent busto
2) REX had no other player left to interline to and from for their passengers transiting beyond state capitals
So point 1 a bit of opportunistic greed and point 2 a matter of survival against QF / Link that could do eg. Dubbo to Melbourne on the one ticket
Now the see themselves as a smaller version of QF / VA
Their plan I believe is
Grow jet operations to around 30 over the next few years
Offer hourly on the triangle
Cover all state capitals
Jets into regional ports such as CNS, TSV, MKY, ROK, BDB, MCY, OOL, BNK, CFS, CBR, HBA, LST
Keep larger regional operations and drop (as they have) marginal ones
Keep their customers on the one ticket from regional to other state destinations
Replace SAABs with ATRs or now more likely Q400s as they now have a few on fleet through NJE and it looks like they will start them out west
A smaller version of QF or a version of VA but with their on regional network as a feed allowing for pilot progression from training / cadet through props to jets
In the background dabbling in FIFO and contract ops
Can't see them doing ULC or buying out an established Bonza
Can see them doing something with QR on international if they get their Oz ownership level right though
Not just to Doha either, I can totally see QR birds with ZL paint doing Asia, NZ and US
This is not fantasy as they are already having talks
For QR
Expanded network with more metal to Oz
REX pilot academy for a source of experienced pilots
A better and more cost effective alternative than a VA buy out
For REX
A way to counteract the losses of pilots to QF and others
A career path from academy to props, jets and widebodies that is well managed
A strong financial backer
International feed