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After Ansett collapsed, a group of businessmen saw an opportunity in reviving
only the regional aviation part of the business. They believed there were sound
business reasons for this initiative:
both Hazelton and Kendell, before they were part of
Ansett, were profitable
entities and enjoyed
excellent reputationand support;
both airlines were still in operation under their
own brands even during administration;
the route
networks of both operators were complementary;
they operated the same aircraft types; and
significant economies of scale could be
obtained by streamlining the operations
(flight and
engineering), administration and management of
the two companies.
A consortium of businessmen comprising a group of Singaporean investors and a
collection of Australian private investors eventually reached an agreement with
the two sets of administrators, the government, the unions and the staff to
purchase the Hazelton and Kendell turbo-prop passenger airlines businesses,
leading to the formation of Regional Express, more affectionately known as Rex.
Rex has its roots firmly in the bush and in country Australia. Its tagline boldly
affirms that ‘Our Heart is in the Country’. Rex believes that the bush needs and
deserves an air service of quality that provides good connectivity with capital
cities at affordable prices. Rex seeks to fulfil these expectations. Since its
formation, Rex has steered a course balancing the needs of regional communities
for extensive and affordable air services and to be economically viable and
sustainable.
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