Originally published in The Ararat Advocate and Pyrenees Advocate on 30 August 2024.
Rex is an important regional airline. It provides critical links with regional communities, connecting Australians with family, business and essential services, particularly between major cities and regional centres.
In 2021, Rex Airlines expanded into capital city routes from its traditional regional footprint, but stopped operating these routes in July this year when it entered into voluntary administration.
The Albanese Labor Government continues to work closely with Rex’s administrators, assessing all options to support the airline and its many workers.
The Government has also taken the step of guaranteeing regional flight bookings for Rex customers during the voluntary administration process.
The guarantee means that customers will be entitled to receive a full refund if their flights are cancelled.
Federal Labor wants the aviation industry in Australia to continue to be one that provides important services for regional communities.
We understand the benefit Rex has on local economies can’t be understated and that having a strong regional aviation sector is essential to Australia.
Therefore, Rex’s continuation is in the best interests of regional Australians and for the customers and workers that rely on the airline.
Historically, Australia’s aviation sector hasn’t grown sustainably beyond two major carriers.
The Government has said it wants to see Qantas and Virgin continue to fly regionally, together with a dedicated regional airline.
What is clear is that the aviation industry can’t be going through a scenario where airline companies are constantly experiencing uncertain futures.
Which is why this week, the Albanese Labor Government released the Aviation White Paper that maps out our vision for Australia’s aviation sector towards 2050 to ensure it remains safe, competitive, productive and sustainable.
It contains 56 new initiatives to improve consumer rights, boost competition, reduce emissions, grow skills in the aviation industry and make the sector more responsible to the communities it serves.
One of those initiatives will be the introduction of a new Aviation Industry Ombudsman Scheme and Customer Rights Charter, encompassing an effective complaints and dispute resolution process.
Labor firmly believes the policy initiatives set out in the white paper will lead to better outcomes for airline passengers, including the provision of more reliable regional air services.
The recent exit of Bonza, and the difficult times for Rex, demonstrate the challenging conditions smaller airlines face and highlights why more competition is better for our domestic market. Rex Airlines provides critical regional air services – that’s why Federal Labor wants it to emerge from voluntary administration and continue to be a part of our country’s aviation industry well into the future.
