Rex (Regional Express): What It Means to Book a Flight Today While the Airline Is in Administration

History and positioning

Formed in 2002 through the merger of Hazelton Airlines and Kendell Airlines, Regional Express, known as Rex, built its identity on the historic regional network flown with Saab 340B turboprops. From 2021 it had tried to add a Boeing 737 jet service to the Australian capital cities, in direct competition with Qantas and Virgin Australia: an ambitious project that was meant to break the duopoly on the main routes, but that proved unsustainable and lies at the root of the financial collapse of July 2024. The Rex brand nonetheless remains associated mainly with its role as an essential regional link, a role that probably helped motivate the public support it received during administration.

The fleet

After the Boeing 737 jet flights to the capital cities ended in 2024, the operating fleet shrank back to the historic network of Saab 340B turboprops, sized for regional routes with modest demand rather than for competing on the main capital-to-capital routes, a return to the airline's original core before the jet expansion. Going back to Saab 340 turboprops alone is an almost forced choice after the costly jet flights ended, but one in line with the historically most solid core of the airline's business.

Routes and network

The Saab 340 regional network connects dozens of regional Australian towns in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, while the jet services to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been suspended since 2024 along with the expansion project itself, which was not resumed during administration. The regional routes of New South Wales and Victoria remain the heart of the network, linking dozens of small towns that would otherwise have no regular air service.

On board and service

On board the Saab 340s, aircraft with about 34 seats, service is limited to drinks and snacks on generally short flights between regional towns, with no pretense of the comfort of a larger airliner, a product that regular passengers consider appropriate for the nature of the route.

Fares and baggage

On the Saab 340 regional network, fares generally include a basic baggage allowance, in line with an essential-link model rather than a low-cost one. Refunds for the jet flights to the capital cities canceled in 2024 have been handled through the administration process, with longer-than-usual timelines.

What passengers say

Those who fly the historic regional routes report a service that has stayed essentially stable despite the financial crisis, with the Saab 340 network continuing to connect many regional towns without noticeable disruption, supported by an 80 million Australian dollar government credit line during administration, a rare intervention but one justified by the airline's essential role for many regional communities. The most critical reviews almost always concern uncertainty about the airline's future, a theme that weighs on passenger confidence more than the quality of the current service.

• Saab 340 regional network that stayed stable despite the financial crisis.
• Service sustained by government funds during administration.
• No noticeable disruption on the historic regional routes during the crisis.
• Public support that guaranteed continuity of service during the financial crisis.

• Uncertainty about the airline's future continuity, with the sale still under way.
• Refunds for the jet flights to the capital cities, canceled with the 2024 collapse.
• End of the project to compete with jets on routes between the major capitals.

Rex remains a valid option for anyone who needs to reach a regional town served by its historic Saab 340 network, but not for those looking for a cheap jet alternative to the big Australian capitals — that service no longer exists. With the sale of the airline still under way, it is best to avoid booking too many months ahead on secondary routes until the outcome of the process is final. Always check the airline's latest operating status before buying a long-lead ticket.