Rex deal brings two WA regional routes back to pre-COVID levels

Several regional Western Australian regional hubs will have a greater flow of air traffic thanks to a new agreement struck between Regional Express (ASX: REX) and the state government, which will see flights from Perth to Monkey Mia and Esperance return to pre-COVID levels.

Rex has committed to providing at least 18 return flights from Perth each week on its Albany and Esperance routes, six return flights on the Monkey Mia route, and 10 return flights on the Carnarvon route under its existing deed of agreement with the State.

This represents a 100 per cent recovery on the Esperance and Monkey Mia routes, 83 per cent recovery for Carnarvon and 78 per cent recovery for Albany compared to pre-COVID levels.

During the height of COVID there were only four services per week into Albany and Esperance and two per week into Carnarvon and Monkey Mia.

Rex has also invested heavily into rebuilding passenger numbers on the regional Western Australia air routes by making more community fares available, as well as operating more services above the minimum service level being supported by government.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says her government has worked closely with airlines and the Commonwealth Government throughout the pandemic to ensure regional communities remain connected with reliable air services.

"Western Australia is a beautiful State and we want to encourage people to travel to see friends and family and to take a holiday," she says.

"To do this we need to make sure that we have the right level of regional flights available.

"We are continuing to work hard to deliver affordable and accessible regional airfares, including working to roll out our key election commitment to cap regional fares at two zones."

Business News Australia