Regional Express : Rex to Resume Flights to Grafton

6 AUGUST 2020

MEDIA RELEASE

Rex to Resume Flights to Grafton

Regional Express (Rex) announces today that it will resume flights to Grafton with effect from Monday, August 17, 2020.

Rex notified the Clarence Valley Council of the withdrawal of services on June 4 2020, after a councillor made pejorative and offensive remarks at an open council meeting regarding Rex. This councillor subsequently made further xenophobic remarks concerning Rex and its leadership in the press.

Upon the intervention of the Member for Page, Mr Kevin Hogan, Rex accepted the apologies of the council and accepted Mr Hogan's assurance that the remarks of the said councillor were condemned by the vast majority of the community.

Rex will operate return services three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Rex Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said, "Although Rex has always taken the view that elected representatives speak on behalf of the community, Rex is giving the benefit of the doubt to the community of Grafton and is accepting at face value the assurance from the Federal Member for Page. Rex will be watching the developments at Grafton closely."

Mr Hogan said, "I am extremely pleased that Rex have reconsidered and are now reinstating this important service for our community."

"I have continued to work with Rex, Clarence Valley Council and the Deputy Prime Minister to resolve this issue."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the resumption of REX flights to Grafton was a step in the right direction for the industry.

"Throughout the whole COVID-19 pandemic the Australian Government has done everything possible to ensure the aviation industry could be sustained, including providing $298 million to maintain critical regional air links and deliver financial support for smaller regional airlines and air operators providing essential services," Mr McCormack said.

"The reintroduction of the flight from Sydney to Grafton is a great step forward for the region to reboot the economy in what has been a difficult year for everyone."

Clarence Valley Council Mayor Jim Simmons welcomed the announcement and restated the importance of this service.

"I would like to personally thank Kevin Hogan for continuing to advocate for this important community service," Cr Simmons said.

"Flights into Grafton are vitally important for our local economy and connects our region to major population centres."

Fares will be available for sale from 7:00pm tonight.

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia's largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 aircraft (pre-COVID) on some 1,500 weekly flights to 60 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the regional airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-AirAviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the two pilot academies Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.

Rex Media Contact: Corporate Communications: [phone] [e-mail]