The new service will operate five days a week from 28 June, 2024, on Boeing 737 aircraft, with fares commencing from $299. It will add almost 90,000 seats to one of Australia’s busiest routes.

“When more airlines compete on a particular route, consumers benefit and our record in the domestic markets speaks for itself – Rex delivers terrific value for money,” says Warrick Lodge, Rex’s general manager, network strategy.

“Rex consistently outshines its domestic rivals in on-time performance and cancellation rates, and when travellers are booking a route of this distance and duration, reliability is paramount.

“Our competitors cancelled 57 flights in total on this route in the first four months of 2024, while their combined on-time arrival and departure performance was only around 72 per cent.”

Rex is also set to announce another new Australian route in coming days.

“We are delighted with the news of extra flights between Melbourne and Perth, and look forward to welcoming even more visitors from Perth to experience all the wonderful things Victoria has to offer,” says Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.

“Having a third airline group flying between Perth and Melbourne will increase competition and allow more people to reconnect with family and friends, or explore Victoria’s fantastic tourism offering.”

Perth Airport’s chief commercial and aviation officer, Kate Holsgrove, is pleased Rex is expanding its presence in Western Australia.

“Currently, Rex operates four successful regional services within Western Australia,” she says.

“The introduction of Rex’s first interstate routes from our Terminal 2 is a sure sign of their confidence in the Perth market.

“This gives Western Australians more options for travel, and we look forward to working with the Rex airline team to ensure the new routes are successful.”