For Sharp it was probably true - at that time his mates were in government and handing out money to him to start a domestic jet operation at a time when the current two operators were at 10% loads. So when he’s getting taxpayer money for nothing in return his statement was literally true - there has never been such a good time to launch in the domestic market as there was then.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/virg...10-gdgwpa.html

Can't find much other proof
But if VA closed, who would they interline with QF?

As I said, that would have left QF/Link with a sizable over REX, so yes, they had no choice

It's difficult to say whether that is the most stupid thing you've written because, well, the competition is torrid. Just think about what you're trying to argue here - you're saying that Rex had no choice but to get into domestic jet operations because if VA folded then they would have to interline with QF. Leaving aside the fact that at no point did VA cease flying during the administration, and there were no shortage of suitors for VA, just how big do you think Rex's interline sales with Virgin were anyway, to the extent that any agreement was even in place subsequent to VARA coming into being. It's just complete and utter piffle what you're suggesting. Rex made zero mention of anything even vaguely along those lines when it outlined its case for getting into jets.

Separately, Rex managed 43.1 percent loads today between Sydney and Melbourne; 55.6 percent across the jet network for the day.

So Mick, are you saying that at no time was there any chance of VA shutting down?
That is totally incorrect at one point it was 50/50
I never said that the reason REX got into jet ops because of potentially losing VA's interline, as I said earlier, they thought VA was gonski, but the interline thing was also a factor and let me tell you, jet ops were on the table way before 2020...

Let's have a look at today down back only
658 MEL OOL 153
437 MEL ADL 95
489 MEL ADL 100
202 MEL BNE 108
258 MEL BNE 135
540 SYD OOL 146
616 MEL CBR 80
328 SYD BNE 123
348 SYD BNE 142
384 SYD BNE 98
018 MEL SYD 51
042 MEL SYD 104
102 MEL SYD 122
152 MEL SYD 93
182 MEL SYD 91
Average 109.4 plus whatever up front
65% plus business
61% MEL SYD
Add to this 15 return sectors so fleet utilisation is reasonably high

70% break even ?
Not far away
Even REX are saying early 2023 to break even....

I hope they have plenty more frames on order as both QF/JQ and VA struggle with on time performance and no guarantee you check in luggage arrives at your destination
As for slots at SYD, no worries there as QF/JQ and VA cut back flights as REX expands, there will be plenty available
The people are getting a taste of REX and are liking what they see and rebooking

well they better start paying their pilots above award because it's all good having airframes but it makes no difference if you can't crew them.

I can only see that trend continuing with time as long as Jetstar continues to piss people off.

Haha, you have not been around much in 20yrs then to make that comment about JQ. JQ loads still strong every sector I operate nothing under 170, today to ML not a seat to spare. I’ve mentioned before It’s easy not to loose a bag and have good OTP when you only have 6 frames. If Rex had 60 737s they would be no better than the current 3. Maybe Rex increase of late is just because ppl can’t get a seat on the other 3 and Rex are sloppy 4ths. Still, time will tell I don’t see them getting last 10-12 frames. Tiger mach2.0.

20 years of pissing people off .. let's wait and see how much people will continue to stomach that .. hahaha

Quick look at Rex social media, seems they have a lot of pi$$ed off people also lost bags, late all the same gripes as the other 3. Sure ppl will stomach that for another 20 of Rex?!. At least the other 3 don’t delete comments made on their social media un like Rex does.

They are. The new EBA is pretty good.

are you talking about the 737 ops eba? What’s the base salary for a cpt/fo?

there's no EBA ratified yet?

What's so good about it? Haven't seen really much detailed about what an FO would now be on etc.

Its imminent

You forgot ZL549 OOL-SYD with a grand total of 25 pax.

Today was the first day this week Rex managed to carry more than 1,000 pax on its 10 flights between Melbourne and Sydney for an aggregate LF of 59.8 percent. Even with that, SYD-MEL for the week so far is sitting at 47.8 percent LF, jet network is sitting at 55.2 percent.

They’re doing well considering they do virtually no advertising, no frequent flyer scheme and you don’t see them on the news everyday like the rat.

OMG you found a flight with a poor load....

Fact is QF/JQ have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at REX
It's obvious they don't want a third carrier, just VA as a second which they can work with in the background
6 months since restart and loads between 55% and 60% is very encouraging for them and not to far off break even, if not already there at 60%

It wasn't difficult, it was there in the data. Neatly illustrates why looking at all the data over a reasonably representative timeframe is important.

Getting 30 flights a day of around 1.6 hours average block time from a 6 aircraft fleet is not "reasonably high" utilisation. It's about 20 percent below where it should be.

6 months?! WTF are you talking about? The recovery in domestic aviation activity has been running largely unimpeded for over 12 months now. Activity has more than quadrupled over that period.

​
Astounding that break even has shifted 10 points in the space of a couple of posts. Keep that up and soon Rex won't need any pax at all to be making money.

I really don’t think they care. An operator who has no flights after 1230 on a Saturday from Tulla is hardly a threat. That’s not even a competitor. One flight a day into the Gold Coast. I mean what’s the point.

The fact is, Rex’ share will now start to head south as Jetstar adds 1 Neo a month, Virgin very soon also joining the once a month club.