My presumption about Rex 737 operations in #23 was clearly optimistic based on the several more well informed responses.
It makes me wonder what "economies of scale" can be achieved by larger operators of mainline jets such as Qantas/Jetstar and VA compared to say Bonza or Rex, each with only a handful of 737s?
I am also curious if there are cost models out there that could assess the impact on average load factors as the number of competing airlines in the Australian domestic market is increased from 2 to 3 to 4 etc. Surely, the more there are, the less viable the industry becomes for all of them, or the higher the airfares would need to become. Perhaps '3' is the 'sweet spot' for major airlines in our market?