Chris Frame caught up with John Sharp, Rex’s deputy chairman, to learn more about the Australian regional carrier’s jet-setting plans
While Rex’s next chapter is set to revolutionise the business, a brief history lesson is important to understand the sheer scale of what is now taking place. The rapidly expanding company can trace its origins back to 2001, amid the catastrophic collapse of Ansett Australia. The failure of Ansett – once one of the largest mainline carriers in Australasia – threatened to take down two of Australia’s most respected regional airlines.
The first of these, Kendell, was established in 1965 to service communities across New South Wales. While the airline retained its independence for 25 years, it formally joined the Ansett stable in 1990. As Kendell was integrated into the larger operation, it became an important vehicle for regional expansion.
Retaining the Kendell name, the carrier proudly wore the Ansett livery, as did its various subsidiaries.
By the time of the Ansett collapse in 2001, Kendell’s fleet had been bolstered with Bombardier CRJ200ERs. These speedy jets were used to link Sydney and Melbourne to the national capital of Canberra.
Another regional carrier, Hazelton,…
