Rex Airlines announces extra Hobart to Melbourne flights for bumper summer period

Just weeks after announcing a new direct Hobart to Melbourne route, the affordable airline carrier has unveiled major plans to ensure a bumper summer period. Why they’re flying high >>

A Boeing 737-800 aircraft belonging to Rex Airlines. Photo - Getty Escape 19 March 2023

Affordable airline carrier Rex has announced plans to seriously ramp up its service offering ahead of a bumper summer season.

The airline, which last month introduced a new direct Hobart to Melbourne route, will double down on seating availability by introducing an extra daily flight from December 18 to January 21.

The announcement comes as the airline reports “surging demand” for holiday-makers both wanting to visit Tasmania and for locals who are travelling interstate.

Rex launched the Melbourne-Hobart route on August 14.

The current midday flight from Melbourne will be supplemented with a 6.15pm departure for

Hobart while the return services from Hobart will operate at both 2.05pm and 8.20pm on

select days, the airline say.

“I would urge people to book without delay as I have no doubt these extra flights will sell out

quickly,” Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said.

“Passenger demand has been phenomenal and forward bookings have gone through the

roof.”

Rex Airlines Deputy Chairman, John Sharp and Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff at the Launch of new flights from Melbourne to Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter said the airline was seeing demand following the route announcement last month, with travellers enticed by prices as low as $79.

“Only a few weeks in and already Rex are announcing additional services,” Mr Carter said.

“It’s great to see these extra flights and just as importantly more competition at Hobart Airport

that benefits passengers.

“These additional services over the summer holiday season are a good sign for the future of

Rex in Hobart.”

Tasmania’s Small Business Council boss Robert Mallett told the Mercury in August he was “optimistic” the introduction of the new Rex route would lead competing airlines to cut the price of its fares.

“We applaud anything that increases competition and hope it will see a decrease in prices to help businesses and travellers,” he said.

“There are not enough flights coming in and we’re very happy they (Rex) are here.”

Hobart is Rex’s fourth Tasmanian destination – with the airline already flying to Burnie, Devonport and King Island.