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Regional Express has flagged its intent to apply to service Australia’s research missions in Antarctica, weeks after downgrading its profit forecast for this financial year.
Rex confirmed on Tuesday it had submitted a response to a request for information issued by the Australian Antarctic Division, ahead of a formal request for tender expected in November. Rex also confirmed that its long-awaited order of two Boeing 737-800NG planes from Singapore Airlines were now scheduled to arrive by the end of August – one month after initially expected.
Rex has thrown its hat in the ring to take carriage of Australia’s research missions in Antarctica. Credit: Ryan Fletcher
The Australian Antarctic Program is a scientific partnership between the government and multiple research bodies to better understand the effects of climate change. The Antarctic program will require one large intercontinental passenger jet, four intercontinental turboprop aircraft and four twin-engine helicopters.
The airline’s Antarctic project manager Craig Martin said Rex was equipped for the contract due to its experience flying for the Department of Defence and select state air ambulance operations.
“We believe there is no better Australian candidate than the Rex Group with its expertise in
operating a fleet of 150 aircraft in every state ranging from Boeing 737-800NG, Embraer E190 airliners, De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops, over 55 Saab 340 turboprops, one of the largest fleet of Beechcraft King Air aircraft in Australia, and the recently introduced Pilatus PC24 jets,” Martin said.
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Rex said it would lean on a consortium of industry partners to operate some aspects of the Antarctic program which require “more specialised expertise”.
Rex confirmed on Tuesday its long-awaited order of two Boeing 737-800NGs leased from Singapore Airlines will now arrive in July and August. The airline signed a letter of intent with Singapore Airlines in February, with the planes originally scheduled to arrive in June and July, and has not provided an update on the delivery until now.
The delivery of the Boeing 737s will aid some of Rex’s fleet woes but one third of its 57 Saab 340s remain in storage due to insufficient staff. This has led to a reduction in regional flying across the country.