Pilot shortage behind Rex cuts to regional flights Australia-wide

Rex has blamed a chronic shortage of airline professionals for its reduction to regional flights, affecting some of the most remote parts of Australia.

Rex has also blamed a reduction in its regional services on difficulty getting parts for its ageing fleet of Saab 340s. Picture: Brendan Radke

Rex has blamed a “chronic shortage of airline professionals” and supply chain disruption for a reduction in its regional services nationwide.

From May 1, flights will be reduced on nine routes in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

Another four routes would see flight times altered, and the Mildura-Adelaide service will be suspended altogether.

Rex general manager of network strategy Warwick Lodge said they would reinstate the services once the situation has stabilised.

“These adjustments are necessitated by the chronic shortage of airline professionals, particularly pilots and engineers, as well as the severe disruption in the supply chain of aircraft and parts,” Mr Lodge said.

“We do understand the impact these adjustments will have on the regional communities affected as Rex is the lifeline for these communities.”

Queensland’s Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council was facing the loss of at least six services a week to remote towns including Bamaga, New Mapoon and Umagico.

In a message to residents, the council’s acting chief executive officer Kate Gallaway said they were working closely with other airlines to secure additional services to the region.

“Increased services are not expected until late June at the earliest,” Ms Gallaway said.

“I would strongly encourage community members to plan ahead and book flights early where possible during this time.”

She said Rex had provided advice the airline was implementing “Australia-wide service reductions”.

Flights to the region would be slashed to four return services a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from May 1.

Currently Rex flies ten times a week between Bamaga and Cairns.

The airline posted a $16.5m half year loss for the six months to December 2022, and noted that regional operations had been a “drag” on financial performance.

A fleet of 34-seat Saab 340s with an average age of 28.6-years are used on regional routes, covering more than 60 destinations.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots recently warned airlines they were at risk of losing pilots to overseas carriers due to the lack of significant pay increases.

Major US airlines have ticked off pay rises for pilots of up to 40 per cent over four years, and even regional carriers like Breeze Airways recently upped pay rates for first year captains to $320 an hour.

Rex expanded into major city operations mid-pandemic, using a fleet of ex-Virgin Australia 737s to fly between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Adelaide.

The half year results said those services were profitable.

Originally published as Pilot shortage behind Rex cuts to regional flights Australia-wide