Collaboration with Rex Airlines brings new savings to FCM clients
A new 10-year partnership between Rex Airlines and our parent company Flight Centre Travel Group is giving FCM clients more options to choose from as well as specially negotiated airfare discounts.
The new partnership will give eligible FCM clients access to specially negotiated Economy and Business Class airfares as well as easy access to a growing airline that services regional and high-demand inter-city routes, such as the Golden Triangle, as well as Australia’s domestic fly-in fly-out (FIFO) market.
With its head office in Sydney and a domestic network including 58 destinations predominantly across the north and south-east of Australia and south-west into the key hubs of Western Australia, Rex Airlines is fast becoming an alternative choice for corporate travellers.
Recently the carrier was named ‘Airline of the Year’ at the Australian Aviation Awards
In July 2022, the airline announced the acquisition of National Jet Express (NJE), the regional services arm of Cobham Aviation Services Australia (Cobham). NJE is a leading provider of FIFO services in Western Australia and South Australia. NJE also operates freight services from Sydney to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta), as well as air charter services in Papua New Guinea.
Rex operates a fleet of 61 Saab 340 and seven Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. Following the acquisition of NJE, the airline will add eight Bombardier Q400 turboprops and six Embraer E190 jets to its fleet. The Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator), the Australian Airline Pilot Academy, which has campuses in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat. The group also includes propeller maintenance organisation, Australian Aerospace Propeller Maintenance.
Flight Centre Travel Group Managing Director Graham Turner said: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Rex Airlines and to forge a strong partnership that stretches well beyond the typical one or three-year airline-agency contract.
“Flight Centre Travel Group has worked closely with Rex Airlines since its launch as Regional Express in 2002 and will continue to do so as it evolves with the expansion of its increasingly popular full-service jet operations between major capital cities and major holiday destinations.
“Today, Rex Airlines is an innovative and forward-thinking domestic carrier, with strong product offerings for corporate and leisure travellers and an expansive regional network.”
General Manager of Sales for Rex Airlines, Ann Elliot, said the airline was excited to partner with FCTG and its corporate brands such as FCM.
“We’re excited to partner with FCM and deliver choice and value to their customers,” Ann said. “We are proud to be supporting SME businesses by creating greater access to both our regional and domestic networks.”
As part of the new partnership eligible FCM clients have access to specially negotiated SME business airfares through their online booking tool and Travel Manager.
Rex Airlines’ lounges are in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra airports. A new lounge in Brisbane is expected to open in 2023. In addition, a new lounge is currently under construction in the Sydney airport. This will be the carrier’s flagship lounge, which overlooks expansive views of the airport’s southern runway.
Rex Airlines is also putting the finishing touches on new business and leisure loyalty programs for its frequent flyers.
Ann said the carrier had a raft of new initiatives underway to enhance the customer experience from new lounges and airline partnerships to new loyalty programs and innovative sustainability initiatives.
Rex Airlines at a glance
- Offers more than 160 weekly 737 jet services on the Golden Triangle between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and more than 190 weekly 737 jet services between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
- Over the years, Rex Airlines has flown more than 21 million passengers throughout Australia
- Pre-Covid, Rex was flying 1.4 million passengers annually.
- The airline operates 75,000 annual regular public transport flights.
- The carrier’s legacy involves two regional airlines established almost 70 years ago.
- The two airlines bore the names of two of Australia’s regional aviation pioneers: Hazelton Airlines established in 1953 in the NSW Central West by Max Hazelton; and Kendell Airlines, established in Wagga Wagga in 1965 by Don and Eilish Kendell.
Ready to fly the alternative?
Talk to your FCM team today to assess whether your air travel program qualifies for our exclusively negotiated airfares with Rex.