REGIONAL Express Airlines (Rex) is going head-to-head with QantasLink on the niche Mildura-Sydney route.
Just days after QantasLink touched down on its inaugural direct flight between Mildura and the New South Wales capital, Rex announced its plan to offer cheaper through fares to connect regional Australia with major capital cities.
From March, Rex will offer one-way fares between Mildura and Sydney, via Melbourne, for $207, compared to QantasLink’s lowest direct one-way fare of $229.
QantasLink was to launch its service in March this year before the COVID-19 pandemic scuttled those plans.
The airline is now flying four times a week from Mildura to Sydney on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays with most one-way Red e-Deal fares around the $290 mark.
Rex this week targeted its regional market when it launched its cut-price through fares, which it said would make it cheaper and easier for travellers from regional Australia to connect to Australia’s major capital cities.
The “thru-fare” is a combined fare for regional city passengers travelling who need to get to Sydney via Melbourne and Melbourne via Sydney.
Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said the thru-fares provided an attractive alternative for travellers from regional areas.
“This is the added connectivity Rex promised when it announced its domestic operations between Sydney and Melbourne,” Mr Sharp said.
“It’s a major convenience for the regional traveller at a time when regional travel is crying out for this sort of boost.”
Mr Sharp said the “thru-fare” would allow baggage to be checked in to the final destination, leaving passengers to simply present at the boarding gate at the intermediate stop in Melbourne or Sydney.
The “thru-fares” are available for sale on the Rex website for travel from March.
QantasLink said its new 50-seat Q300 turboprop aircraft would offer more than 20,000 seats on the route each year and save travellers about two hours compared to flying via Melbourne.
Qantas sales and distribution executive manager Igor Kwiatkowski said the new Mildura flights reinforced the carrier’s commitment to supporting regional Victoria.
“We’re responding to demand from local businesses and industry leaders to connect the Sunraysia region to Sydney once again,” Mr Kwiatkowski said.
“Together with Mildura Rural City Council, we’ll be promoting greater Mildura to travellers across Australia as a great destination to visit.”
