Rex will now fly into Hobart twice a day as the semi-budget carrier ramps up its service offering ahead of what will be a bumper summer.
The increase has helped grow the expected number of travellers booked to pass through the Hobart Airport terminal this festive season to over 170,000.
The airline only launched its direct Melbourne to Hobart route in August, but after bookings in both directions “exceeded expectations”, more flights will be now added between the two cities from today until the end of January.
Taking on Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar to meet the “surging demand from holidaymakers” on the popular route, Rex Deputy Chairman John Sharp says the extra flights will run from December 18 to January 21.
The additional flights will take off from Melbourne at 6:15pm every day, with the return service from Hobart to depart at 8:20pm.
“Passenger demand has been phenomenal and forward bookings have gone through the roof … I have no doubt these extra flights will sell out quickly,” Sharp said earlier this year.
Airport Chief Executive Officer Norris Carter has welcomed the added competition and sees it as a ‘positive boost’ to the aviation sector.
“It’s great to see these extra flights and just as importantly more competition at Hobart Airport that benefits passengers,” Carter said.
“These additional services over the summer holiday season are a good sign for the future of Rex in Hobart.”
Last week, Rex took delivery of its tenth Boeing 737-800NG, registration VH-8ZL, which is expected to make the trip down to Hobart sometime in the near future.
The aircraft, previously flown by Brazilian low-cost carrier Gol, arrived in Australia painted in the Rex livery and ready to fly.
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“This steady growth allows us to build more depth in to our schedule by adding additional frequencies on our most popular routes while at the same time allowing us to look at how we might also add more capital cities to our network,” Sharp said.
