Rex Airlines has announced that it will change 13 of its regularly scheduled flights, affecting its regional network in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland.

The adjustments will have an impact on the fleet of Saab 340 turboprop aircraft that Rex operates in those four states. From 1 May, the service between Mildura and Adelaide will be discontinued permanently.

There will be a reduction in service on nine routes, including Cairns-Bamaga, Sydney-Broken Hill, Broken Hill-Adelaide, Sydney-Wagga Wagga, Melbourne-Wagga Wagga, Mount Gambier-Melbourne, Whyalla-Adelaide, Port Lincoln-Adelaide, and Ceduna-Adelaide, as well as changing times for four additional routes.

In a statement, Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge, highlighted a scarcity of airline experts, particularly pilots and engineers, as the critical factor behind the need for the adjustments. Lodge also noted a severe disruption in the supply chain of aircraft and engine parts as another primary cause.

“These adjustments are necessitated by the chronic shortage of airline professionals – particularly pilots and engineers – as well as the severe disruption in the supply chain of aircraft and engine parts.

“We do understand the impact these adjustments would have on the regional communities that would be affected, as Rex is the lifeline for these communities,” he continued. “We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The airline has guaranteed to restore regular operations as soon as the supply situation shows improvement.

regional networks in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland will be impacted as the airline changes to 13 scheduled flights.

The changes will affect Rex’s fleet of Saab 340 turboprop aircraft in those four states, and the Mildura-Adelaide route will be discontinued as of 1 May.

Cairns-Bamaga, Sydney-Broken Hill, Broken Hill-Adelaide, Sydney-Wagga Wagga, Melbourne-Wagga Wagga, Mount Gambier-Melbourne, Whyalla-Adelaide, Port Lincoln-Adelaide, and Ceduna-Adelaide are just some of the nine routes where service will be reduced, while the times for four others are going to change.

In a statement, Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge, cited a lack of airline professionals, notably pilots and engineers, and a major interruption in the supply chain of aircraft and engine parts as the primary drivers behind the need for the alterations.

“These adjustments are necessitated by the chronic shortage of airline professionals – particularly pilots and engineers – as well as the severe disruption in the supply chain of aircraft and engine parts,” Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge, said.

“We do understand the impact these adjustments would have on the regional communities affected, as Rex is the lifeline for these communities,” he added.

As soon as the supply situation improves, the airline has promised to resume normal operations.