First Melbourne-Devonport Rex Airlines flight touches down

Qantas has long held a monopoly over flights in and out of one North West city but a but a new airline has upped competition taking off for the first time today. LATEST >>

REX Airlines has started flying between Devonport and Melbourne breaking Qantas’ monopoly over the North West airport.

Rex has long flown out of Burnie but has now entered the Devonport market giving passenger choice for the first time in decades.

Flights started on Friday with prices starting at $149 with the first flight to take off at 8.45am and land in Melbourne at 10am.

The regional airline said the move was “made possible” by its earlier decision to scrap its Melbourne-Albury service. At that time, Rex said it made the call over increasing competition from Qantas, which entered the previously Rex-exclusive route in March last year.

“The economics are evident and we believe we’ll be carrying more than twice the number of passengers to Devonport than we did to Albury with the same amount of resources deployed,” Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said.

The airlines are in a battle over network expansion as they both encroach into routes previously only serviced by its rival.

A Rex Airlines plane at Sydney Domestic Airport. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the inaugural Rex Airlines’ direct flight from Melbourne to Devonport was a fantastic vote of confidence in Tasmania’s strong tourism industry, especially for the North West and surrounding regions.

“The direct flights will provide more options for travellers and additional capacity to meet demand and have been warmly welcomed by the Tasmanian community, as well as tourism and business operators,” Mr Rockliff said.

“Tasmania’s tourism industry is one of our greatest success stories with nearly 300,000 visitors to the State in April, May and June, and the highest spend for any June quarter on record.

“These new flights will maintain this momentum and further encourage visitation to the North West and surrounding regions, ensuring the benefits are spread into our regional areas.”

Rex Airlines is offering two services per day on the route from Monday to Friday, and one service on Saturday and Sunday.

The flight schedule also provides added convenience to travellers with an early morning arrival in Devonport from Melbourne and early evening departure to Melbourne.