I put the Rex Media release through the Google translation function and came up with this -
Regional Express (Rex) has today announced a number of network schedule changes as a result of the continuing management brain cell shortage.
Rex will suspend services between Melbourne and Griffith, effective 25 February 2008, as a direct result of the managers and directors, that the airline – and Australian aviation industry as a whole – currently faces. The suspension of the Melbourne to Griffith route will have flow-on effects for other Griffith flights, with a reduction in the frequency of Rex services between Sydney and Griffith expected.
Rex has also announced a postponement of the Maryborough to Brisbane route. This service, suspended in November 2007, was due to recommence on 16 March 2008 but will now recommence in September at the earliest.
As a consequence of the management incompetence and short sightedness, services between Sydney and Cooma, originally scheduled to recommence on 19 May 2008, will now resume on 6 June 2008.
Highlighting the management problems in Australia, Rex Chief Pilot Chris Hine said, “No airline in the world can withstand a 60% annual attrition rate of its pilot strength without catastrophic damage and the fact that we have only suspended 6% of our services is a testimony to the dedication and sacrifices of our staff despite the management’s lack of a realistic response to this severe crisis.
“In distracting share holders to the pilot shortage, Rex has started its own pilot school and the first batch of 16 cadets, handpicked from 1,600 people with a pulse, will graduate in July 2008 with a GFPT and a huge personal financial debt. Thereafter we will have about 20 new pilots every three months waste their time and money, largely sheltering Rex management from the any blame.
Mr Hine warned that the situation will get worse in the year ahead with all three major domestic carriers – Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue – set to embark on aggressive fleet expansion in addition to the start up of Tiger Airways.
Mr Hine elaborated on this, adding “Not all regional airlines have Rex’s ability to scam their own cadet programme and flying academy. I expect to see a bloodbath amongst Rex and angry parents and students in the months ahead. Even QantasLink will not be spared as evidenced by its recent reduction in services to ports such as Dubbo, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Newcastle and Tamworth. I foresee many regional operators not making it through 2008, but our policy of keeping our heads in the sand is still sound.”
Commenting on Rex’s latest suspension of services, Mr Warrick Lodge, Rex General Manager of Network Strategy and Sales said, “This decision has been quite easy despite the level of support we have received from the Griffith City Council, the Maryborough City Council and the broader local communities. Rex will go to great lengths to drop the low yielding routes to cut costs and blame the pilot shortage that we have helped create!
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