Rex - Regional Express (ZL, Wagga Wagga) is in talks with lessors about taking over up to ten B737-800s formerly in service with Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International). Rex is gearing up to enter Australia's trunk domestic market with flights between Sydney Kingsford Smith, Melbourne Tullamarine, and Brisbane International due to commence in March next year.
Sources familiar with developments told the Australian Financial Review that lessors had engaged Rex after being notified by Virgin Australia Group that their aircraft would be surplus to requirements as the group looks to reduce capacity and complexity ahead of its relaunch.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Virgin Australia operates sixty-two B737-800s leased from a total of 17 firms. Virgin Australia International (VA, Brisbane International) operates another fifteen aircraft of the type.
