Rex Airlines and Hydroxy group: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox Airline
|airline= REX (Regional Express)
|logo=Rex..gif
|logo_size=200
|IATA= ZL
|ICAO= RXA
|callsign= REX
|founded= 2002
|parent= [[Regional Express Holdings|Regional Express Holdings Limited]]
|headquarters= [[Wagga Wagga, New South Wales|Wagga Wagga]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
|fleet_size= 43
|destinations= 29 (three suspended)
|key_people= Jim Davis, Managing Director<ref>[http://www.aviationrecord.com/search-results.aspx?articleType=ArticleView&articleId=464 Rex appoints new MD > AviationRecord > Search Results<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Lim Kim Hai, Executive Chairman/ Majority Shareholder <ref>[http://www.regionalexpress.com.au/AboutRex/OurCompany/directors.aspx Our Company :: Leadership<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Chris Hine, Chief Pilot
|website= [http://www.rex.com.au/ www.rex.com.au]
}}

'''Regional Express Pty Ltd''' (also known as '''Rex'''), is an [[airline]] based in [[Wagga Wagga]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. It operates scheduled regional services.<ref name="FI">[[Flight International]] 12-18 April 2005</ref> It is Australia's largest [[regional airline]] outside the [[Qantas]] group of companies and serves the Eastern states and [[South Australia]]. Its entire fleet consists of [[Sweden|Swedish]] built [[Saab 340]] turboprop aircraft seating 33, 34 or 36 passengers.

== History ==

The airline was established in 2002 when the [[Regional Express Holdings|Australiawide Airlines consortium]] (set up by former [[Ansett]] employees) acquired [[Hazelton Airlines]] and [[Kendell|Kendell Airlines]], merged the two companies and started operations in August 2002 as Rex.<ref name="FI"/> In 2005, Australiawide Airlines was renamed [[Regional Express Holdings]] and [[Float (finance)| partially floated]] on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]].<ref>[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=38&page=MC/ Rex Invests in Pel-Air]</ref> On [[30 November]], 2005, Rex announced the acquisition of the [[Dubbo, New South Wales|Dubbo]]-based [[Air Link]], another regional airline.<ref>[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=50&page=MC/ Rex Acquires Air Link]</ref>
[[Image:Regional Express HQ.jpg|thumb|Regional Express Headquarters]]
In October 2007, Rex expanded into [[Queensland]] when it commenced operations between [[Brisbane]] and [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]].<ref>[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=152&page=MC Rex Touches Down in Queensland] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref> This exacerbated an existing problem within the company of not having enough pilots to crew its flights (due to the expansion of larger airlines, especially [[Jetstar Airways]] and [[Virgin Blue|Virgin Blue Airlines]]),<ref>[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=153&page=MC Rex Warns of Looming Catastrophic Shortage of Pilots in Australia] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref><ref>[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/PDF/Press%20Conference%207th%20Nov%202007.pdf Presentation at Press Conference held on 7 November 2007] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref> and Rex suspended operations out of Brisbane<ref name="BM">[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=158&page=MC Rex Announces Suspension of Maryborough Service due to Pilot Shortage] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref> (and from Sydney to [[Cooma, New South Wales]] during the summer "low season" for this route to the [[Thredbo, New South Wales| NSW ski fields]])<ref name="CM">[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=155&page=MC Ongoing Pilot Shortage Forces Regional Express to Temporarily Suspend 'Snowy Mountains' Service] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref> in November 2007. To provide a medium-term solution to the pilot shortage, Rex announced that it was establishing a cadet-pilot flight-training programme.<ref>[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=157&page=MC Rex and Mangalore Airport Announce Creation of Pilot Academy] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref> At the same time, Rex announced the impending retirement of [[Managing director]] Geoff Breust.<ref name="MD">[http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=162&page=MC Rex Discloses Retirement of its Managing Director] retrieved [[2007]]-[[11-16]].</ref>

== Services ==
[[Image:Metro 23 Rex Airline.jpg|thumb|A Fairchild Metro 23 formerly operated by Regional Express]]
[[Image:VHEKDmural.JPG|thumb|The Arid Zone Artists' mural on VH-EKD]]
[[Image:Rex YMML.jpg|thumb|Regional Express [[Saab 340]]A aircraft VH-ZLY at Melbourne Airport]]

'''from [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]'''

*[[Broken Hill, New South Wales]]
*[[Ceduna, South Australia]]
*[[Coober Pedy, South Australia]]
*[[Kangaroo Island|Kingscote, Kangaroo Island]], [[South Australia]]
*[[Mount Gambier, South Australia]]
*[[Port Lincoln, South Australia]]
*[[Whyalla, South Australia]]

'''from Brisbane, Queensland'''

*Maryborough, Queensland (resumes September 2008<ref name="flights"/>)
*[[Lismore, New South Wales]] (resumes September 2008<ref name="flights">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Rex Announces Network Changes Due to Pilot Shortage | work = | publisher = Regional Express Airlines | date = 2008-02-08 | url = http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/ShowNews.aspx?nid=168 | format = html | doi = | accessdate = 2008-05-04 }}</ref>)

'''from [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]'''

*[[Albury, New South Wales]]
*[[Burnie]] (Wynyard), [[Tasmania]]
*[[King Island, Tasmania]]
*[[Griffith, New South Wales]] (suspended indefinitely)
*[[Merimbula, New South Wales]]
*[[Mildura, Victoria]]
*Mount Gambier, South Australia
*[[Wagga Wagga, New South Wales]]

'''from [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]'''

*Albury, New South Wales
*[[Ballina, New South Wales]]
*Broken Hill, New South Wales
*Cooma, New South Wales (suspended indefinitely<ref name="tda">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Rex makes cuts to flight schedule | work = Fairfax | publisher = The Daily Advertiser | date = 2008-05-08 | url = http://dailyadvertiser.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/business/rex-makes-cuts-to-flight-schedule/766302.aspx | format = html | doi = | accessdate = 2008-05-09 }}</ref>)
*[[Dubbo, New South Wales]]
*[[Grafton, New South Wales]]
*Griffith, New South Wales
*Lismore, New South Wales
*Merimbula, New South Wales
*Mildura, Victoria (to be dropped in November 2008)
*[[Moruya, New South Wales]]
*[[Narrandera, New South Wales]]
*[[Orange, New South Wales]]
*[[Parkes, New South Wales]]
*[[Taree, New South Wales]]
*Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

== Fleet ==
[[Image:340Akdk.jpg|thumb|The Regional Express Livery.]]

Rex operates a large fleet of twin [[turboprop]] engined SAAB 340 passenger aircraft of all versions. Several 340Bs, a 340A and all Kendell [[Bombardier CRJ200|CRJ-200s]] and Hazelton [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Metros]] were taken out of service following the establishment of Regional Express. Since then the former Kendell Metro fleet has also been gradually phased out of service, with the remaining four aircraft being transferred to [[Pel-Air]] in late 2006 and the first half of 2007.<ref>[http://www.casa.gov.au/casadata/regsearch/airsresults.asp?VHin=&framein=all&manuin=&modelin=227-dc&regholdin=&regopin=pel-air&serialin=&num_results=50&Search=Search CASA] Australian civil register database. Online search conducted [[2007]]-[[08-16]]</ref>

Since the establishment of the airline, Regional Express has added over twenty SAABs to those inherited from Kendell and Hazelton to expand its fleet. Of these, two are former Hazelton aircraft that served with other operators before being bought by Rex. One aircraft was operated by Kendell Airlines and Rex, then flew in Europe for several years before being re-leased by Rex.

Regional Express rotates all of its aircraft between Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The delivery of 25 ex-[[American Eagle Airlines|American Eagle]] '''Saab 340B ''Plus''''' aircraft (to be leased) over 3 years starting in mid-2007 will enable the expansion of services and the conversion of the Saab 340A's into freighters, and increase the fleet to about 50 units. The 340B ''Plus'' has a quieter and more comfortable interior, with the usual leather seating that is typical to the Saab 340. As of September 2008 13 of the 25 aircraft have been delivered.<ref name="KEQ"/>

=== Special logos ===

[[Image:VH-TRX.JPG|thumb|VH-TRX has a caricature of Kay Hull, visible below the forward cabin window.]]

When the Regional Express livery was first introduced, the logos of the former operators Kendell and Hazelton were located underneath the leading passenger window to the rear of the main entrance door (one aircraft, VH-EKH, still displays these logos with the motto "Our heart is in the country").

In addition to VH-EKH mentioned above, several aircraft in the Rex fleet display special logos or other visual features:

* VH-EKD has a mural on the LH forward fuselage (Right) promoting the outback City of [[Broken Hill]]. This mural was executed by a group known as the Arid Zone Artists in 1998.

* VH-TRX has a [[caricature]] of [[Kay Hull]] [[MHR]] (Right), whose efforts were instrumental in helping Rex to become established, on the LH forward fuselage. The City of Wagga Wagga is within her electorate of [[Riverina]].

* VH-ZLR does not display the Rex reservations telephone number.

* Several aircraft also have decals displaying the [[Saab|SAAB]] corporate logo on the entry door or the "Our heart is in the country" motto; some have both.

* VH-ZRX has "SAAB 340" written on the door instead of a Saab corporate logo, a relic of its service with [[Air Nelson]].

=== Fleet ===

As of October 2008, 43 aircraft are in the expanding fleet.<ref>[http://www.casa.gov.au/casadata/regsearch/airsresults.asp?VHin=&framein=all&manuin=&modelin=340&regholdin=&regopin=regional+express&serialin=&num_results=50&Search=Search CASA] Australian civil register database. Online search conducted [[2008]]-[[09-06]]</ref> In July 2008 the company announced that all of its 340As would be gradually phased out of service with the majority to be converted to freighters for Pel-Air. The first was a frieghter sold to Bridges in Slovenia, the second is the first of the freighters for Pel-Air. The third 340A (KDI) will be sold to Argentine regional airline SOL as a passenger aircraft and a fourth unit is due to start its freighter conversion in late October.<ref name="KEQ"/> A Saab 340B was withdrawn from service to be used as a source of spare parts and the first of the 340A freighter conversions was sold in July 2008.<ref name="KEQ">{{cite web | title = Rex Announces Sale Of SAAB 340A Freighter To Bridges | publisher = Regional Express | date = 2008-07-10 | url = http://www.regionalexpress.com.au/MediaAndPressClippings/ShowNews.aspx?Site=IR&nid=184 | accessdate = 2008-08-24 }}</ref>

<center>
{| class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Regional Express Airlines fleet (as of June 2008)'''
|- bgcolor=lightblue
!Aircraft
!Total
!Notes
|-
|[[Saab 340|Saab 340A]]
|6
|Getting phased out of service, most to undergo freighter conversion.<ref name="KEQ"/>
|-
|[[Saab 340|Saab 340B]]
|22
|One withdrawn from use.
|-
|[[Saab 340|Saab 340B+]]
|15
|11 to be delivered
|-
|}
</center>

=== Aircraft orders ===
Rex has ordered 25 ex American Eagle SAAB 340B ''Plus'' aircraft, which have extended wingtips (offered as an option on Saab 340B ''Plus'' aircraft) to increase flight performance and fuel efficiency, plus improved interior soundproofing. The first was originally scheduled to arrive in late 2006, however Rex took delivery of the first on [[April 30]], [[2007]]; it entered service on June 6th. By March 2008, nine had been delivered, bringing the REX fleet to 40. The 340B ''Plus'' aircraft are fitted with optional [[Hamilton Standard]] propellers instead of the [[Dowty Rotol]] propellers fitted to the existing fleet.

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== See also ==
*[[Ansett Australia]]
*[[Kendell Airlines]]
*[[Hazelton Airlines]]

== External links ==
{{commonscat|Regional Express}}
*[http://iwantthatflight.com.au/General-Rex-Airline.aspx Rex History]
* [http://www.pbase.com/lexyky/image/75828379 Picture of VH-ZLF in the USA prior to delivery]
* [http://www.superwombat.com/nash0607vhzlg.html Picture of VH-ZLG in the USA prior to delivery]
* [http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=01298295 Picture of VH-KDB after its refurbishment]

{{Template group
|list =
{{Airlines of Australia}}
{{Regional Aviation Association of Australia}}
}}

[[Category:Airlines of Australia]]
[[Category:Regional Aviation Association of Australia]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 2002]]

[[de:Regional Express Airlines]]
[[fr:Regional Express]]
[[pl:Regional Express Airlines]]

Revision as of 15:40, 10 October 2008

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