Regional Express (Rex) is ceasing its flights between Sydney and Canberra, a route launched in April last year, citing higher competition and increased costs.
John Sharp, Rex deputy chairman, says in a statement the entrance of an additional operator and high charges imposed by Sydney Airport from 1 June makes the route no longer viable. Resources will be diverted to other routes which provide a better return, he adds.
Smart Aviation Asia Pacific previously reported that Link Airways would be wet leasing Saab 340s for the Canberra-Sydney route to Virgin Australia starting in April this year.
Link Airways and Rex operate Saab 340s on this route, while QantasLink operates De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash 8-400s and Boeing 717s on the route.
With the cessation of service, Rex will fly its last Sydney-Canberra flight on 29 May. This is the same date as its last Albury-Melbourne flight as Smart Aviation Asia Pacific has previously reported.
Sharp explains that Rex launched the Sydney-Canberra services in April last year as part of the airline’s network expansion. This has brought much needed competition to the Sydney-Canberra route and airfares have never been cheaper, he says.
Picture Source: Rex
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