LONDON – Queensland’s Maranoa Regional Council resolved to finalise and execute a ground-breaking partnership deal with Australian regional carrier Rex Airlines during its November 2022 council meeting.
This partnership is aimed at providing air travel benefits to the local regional community, and guarantees resident fares at $169 and small-to-medium business fares at $250 (per ticket, one-way).
Rex Airlines says that this move responds to extensive community consultation in 2021. Fares will be available for sale and travel from 01 January 2023.
Mayor Golder advised, “This is a true partnership opportunity. The deal projects an increase in revenue for next year and gives Council financial security with CPI increases each year.”
“Council regrets the negative views reported in the media that gives the perception that the partnership with Rex results in a deficit for the Roma airport operations or that there is any form of subsidy to Rex.”
“In fact, Council confirmed that the total airport business unit had a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) thus a positive operating cash flow for council.”
“Roma airport itself generated $2.297m of the $2,467m budgeted for the 4 airports in FY 2022 of which $0.24m went towards covering corporate overheads.”
“We are mindful of the reputational damage that the negative comments have inflicted on Rex and we are grateful that Rex is willing to reverse its position to withdraw from the partnership following those comments.”
“Rex currently services Roma with up to 5 return flights a day to Brisbane on weekdays and have committed to increasing this whenever capacity is insufficient. Our community has never experienced such affordable and frequent air services ever.”
Rex Executive Chairman, Lim Kim Hai, said, “Mayor Golder has advocated effectively for his community and has convinced me that the mischievous comments do not at all reflect the predominant view of the community and that the latter should not be made to pay the price.”
“I salute the passion and community mindedness of the Mayor.”
“Rex looks forward to growing the partnership with the Maranoa Regional council under Mayor Golder leadership and we are confident that our affordable, frequent and reliable air services delivered with our hallmark country hospitality will be a strong motor of growth to the socioeconomic fabric of the entire Maranoa region.”
Recent deal with Queensland Murweh Council
The news of Rex Airlines arrangement with the Maranoa Regional Council follows days ater the regional carrier’s of a new four-year partnership with Murweh Shire Council supporting flights in and out of Charleville, Queensland.
The agreement between Rex and Murweh Shire council is similarly aimed at providing better air travel benefits to the shire’s community. Registered residents will have access to a less restrictive Murweh Residents’ Fare priced at only $179* one way from Charleville to Brisbane and $358* for return trips.
Speaking last week on the December 21 announcement of the Murweh deal, Rex Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said:
“The partnership has gone from strength to strength since Rex took over flying the Queensland Government Regulated Central 1 route in January 2022.
“We are delighted to enter into a partnership that delivers certainty for both parties and supports the local community. We look forward to working together to encourage more people to visit Charleville and surrounding areas.”
