Regional Express (Rex) has signed a Commonwealth Grant Agreement under the
COVID-19 Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program announced by Deputy Prime
Minister (DPM), the Hon Michael McCormack, on 28 March 2020.
Under the program, regional airline carriers will be provided assistance to maintain a minimal weekly schedule to regional and remote ports. The RANS program will provide funding for up to six months with an initial approval for six weeks.
Under the Grant Agreement, Rex will receive funding to operate 1-2 return services a week
to most destinations on the Rex network.
Revised guidelines were released late last week, by the Federal Government, with provision
to increase the number of funded services for each regional/remote port. Rex has submitted
a revised request for funding and if successful, nominated Rex ports will see a minimum of
two return services per week with some ports having up to three return services per week including Moruya/Merimbula.
Three of the State Governments, being Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia,
have also committed to funding additional services on top of what the Federal Government
package is providing. Details of the additional State supported arrangements will be
released once confirmed.
Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM said, “All regional and remote
communities owe the DPM Michael McCormack and the Morrison Government a great debt
of gratitude for providing funding to ensure they continue to receive minimal essential air
links to the capital cities for medical, professional and educational needs. Without this
intervention, many smaller regional communities would risk not having any air services at all
for at least six months.”
“Never before has regional Australia been faced with such a massive and sudden threat.
Regional Australia is very fortunate to have a government which places the highest national
priority in ensuring the regional socio-economic fabric is not permanently destroyed by this
national emergency.”
“Rex would also like to thank, on behalf of all regional carriers, the Morrison Government for
extending this lifeline at an incredibly quick speed, without which all independent regional
airline carriers would have collapsed in the coming days. By funding a barebones schedule
for the next six months, the Federal Government has given all regional airlines a fighting
chance to see through this pandemic.”
“With the Commonwealth assistance packages for regional carriers in place, we are
confident that we will be able to help all regional cities who are willing to work in partnership
with us to rebuild their regional air services to their full potential over the next two years.
Rex will stand by all the regional communities that have stood by Rex during this global and
national crisis.”
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