Flight Centre signs landmark agreement with Rex as pilots prepare for industrial action
Rex has revealed a series of new agreements with major travel agency groups including a landmark 10-year agreement with Flight Centre.
The airline has signed multiple agreements with major travel agency groups including Flight Centre, Helloworld, Webjet, Consolidated Travel and Corporate Travel Management.
In particular, Rex’s landmark agreement with Flight Centre ensures the regional carrier will be Flight Centre’s partner of choice over the next decade.
The agreements are expected to result in a more than doubling of Rex’s annual domestic jet revenues in FY23 compared to its current annualized domestic jet revenues with no increase in fleet size.
Revenue on its regional network is also expected to be improved.
“As we continue to grow our network, our travel agency community is critical to this success and we look forward to working in close partnership with them,” Ann Elliott, Rex’s general manager of sales, said.
“These new partnerships are a testament to our growing reputation as a safe, reliable and affordable full-service airline which is enjoying ever increasing passenger support.”
The news comes as Rex pilots voted in favour of taking protected industrial action from Tuesday.
More than 90 per cent of the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) Rex Saab pilot members voted to approve a range of eight legally protected industrial actions that include a number of work bans and, potentially, work stoppages of up to four hours each.
The PIA ballot opened on 15 June and closed on 22 June 2022 during which time a total of 230 of the 247 AFAP members (or 93 per cent) who were eligible to participate submitted a vote online.
The results show support for all eight forms of industrial action put to vote including in favour of banning tankering and route/port breifings outside of duty time, allowing pilots to wear non-uniform items, bans on working less than 10 hours since their last shift when away from home base and 12 hours when at home base and bans on operating aircraft with a deferred defect.
Members also voted in favour of 4-hour work stoppages.
AFAP notified Rex that members would begin action on tankering and uniform issues from tomorrow.
A spokesperson for Rex told Travel Weekly the airline has put in place mitigating measures to ensure its regional services operate normally and confirmed its domestic 737 services will not be impacted in any way.
“The union and the company are aligned in our desire not to have the travelling public impacted especially during the school holidays when airports are expecting massive delays,” the spokesperson said.
“Rex passengers could expect minor changes to the service delivery for example the uniform worn may not be the standard one.”
Earlier this month, Rex’s deputy chairman John Sharp said it was “beyond belief” that its pilot cohort has refused its latest pay proposal, which the airline said was “substantially better” than the offer accepted by the union on behalf of QantasLink pilots in 2021.
AFAP told Australian Aviation the agreement would have meant “a cut in real-term salary of more than 5 per cent” over four years.
The airline also expressed concerns over AFAP’s president, Louise Pole, a pilot with QantasLink, working for Rex’s main competitor.
Rex pilots have been attempting to negotiate a new Enterprise Agreement since early-2018 (ahead of the 30 June 2018 expiry of the Regional Express Pilots’ Enterprise Agreement 2014).
Image source: iStock/Ryan Fletcher
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!