Warning: Attempt to read property "name" on false in /data/www/upgrade/australianaviation.com.au/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/momentummedia-article-gate/includes/class-momentummedia-article-gate.php on line 169
Regional Express (Rex) has slammed rival QantasLink, claiming that it has engaged in predatory pricing on the Townsville-Mackay route after the Qantas subsidiary increased capacity and dropped its lead-in fares to $99 one way.
”It looks like they are trying to push us out,” Rex managing director Jim Davis told the Townsville Bulletin. “We have not experienced such aggression before. We are not afraid of competition, it is a very competitive industry, but strong competition is different to predatory competition.”
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Davis noted that the airline has not ruled out reporting QantasLink’s action to the ACCC, but has gone to the public first by launching an advertising campaign urging the community to support Rex’s services. ”If we get good support from the local community we believe we can put up a good fight,” said Davis.
A Qantas spokesperson denied that it had breached any guidelines, noting that the $99 fares and extra capacity would benefit the community.
Rex began services on the Townsville-Mackay route on October 1, while coincident with increasing Townsville-Mackay frequencies, QantasLink reduced services on the Cairns-Horn Island route from 16 to 13 per week and from 14 to 10 per week on the Cairns-Weipa route.