Australian carrier Regional Express (Rex) has won the right to operate three new regulated regional routes at the expense of rival Skytrans.
The Queensland government’s latest tender for regional air routes has awarded Rex the Brisbane-Toowoomba-St George-Cunnamulla-Thargomindah route; the Brisbane-Toowoomba-Charleville-Quilpie-Windorah-Birdsville-Bedourie-Boulia-Mount Isa route, and the Cairns-Normanton-Mornington Island-Burketown-Doomadgee-Mount Isa routes.
Rex also retained its two existing Townsville services, making five regulated routes in all, starting from January 1, 2015.
Rex general manager of network strategy and sales Warrick Lodge said the airline are keen to take staff from Skytrans.
"We are mindful of the potential loss of employment for many staff and agents of the incumbent and we are committed to hiring as many of the staff and agents as we can," Lodge said.
"We will be visiting all 16 new ports during the next two weeks where we will be hoping to have discussions with all affected parties."
