Going Boeing mentions REX having to compete with the DJ E170 and the QF Q400. I think that QF are (always will be) the main competition, but I wonder how well DJ are actually going with the Embraers. From what I see on the tarmac the E170s are quite often going out with very few bums on seats. I know that the jet service appeals to the pollies and government types on the CBR route, but it appears that DJ are not getting great loads on the baby jets, across the board. So do REX buy Q400s just to take on Qantas at their own game, or is it wiser to concentrate on the business that they already have. REX could then spend the money on stabilising their problem area- crewing and staff retention. The beancounters surely can see the sense of this, there must be savings and efficiencies in not constantly recruiting and training pilots and staff.
Ultimately, most will agree, bigger is not always better.
