Latest update for travellers re-booking a cancelled Rex flight for today or tomorrow
July 31st, 3:27PM
Following on from our update to you earlier this morning regarding Regional Express (Rex) entering voluntary administration, resulting in all 737 flights being cancelled. More on that here if you missed it.
Since we last updated you, Qantas and Jetstar have announced this morning that they too will accommodate impacted travellers.
We are very pleased to let you know that FCM has been working closely with Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar to streamline the re-booking process for our customers, and we’re continuing to work with the airlines to establish an improved process.
For those with Rex bookings for travel today or tomorrow we are now able to manage the re-booking process on your behalf. Please contact your FCM Travel Manager.
We are working on an update for those travelling from Friday 2 August onwards, and are in close contact with each of the three airlines to confirm a streamlined process to rebook our customers on alternative flights, regardless of your date of travel. We will be able to update you on this very shortly.
In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we prioritise travel within the next 48 hours. Our travel managers are working incredibly hard to get you to where you need to be as quickly as possible.
July 31st, 9AM
In what is a sad moment for Australian aviation, late last night Regional Express (Rex) announced it was entering voluntary administration, following a trading halt from Monday 29 July.
It has subsequently grounded its Boeing 737 fleet, leading to the cancellation of flights between major airports, including between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast. The cancellation of 737 flights on trunk routes is effective immediately from 31 July 2024.
Regional Saab 340 flights are currently unaffected by the administration and will continue to operate. Prepaid ticket holders will continue to have their tickets honoured by Rex on regional routes. The airline will continue its long and proud history of servicing regional and remote communities across Australia.
Following the news, Virgin Australia has made an offer to accommodate travellers, free of charge, who have had a ticket cancelled due to the Administration process. The airline will transfer tickets to be re-accommodated on a flight as close as practicable to their original time of travel.
Routes available for free of charge re-booking with Virgin Australia include:
• Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide
• Melbourne to Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast and Adelaide
• Adelaide to Brisbane, Perth
• Brisbane to Cairns
Eligible Rex customers who wish to take up Virgin Australia’s rebooking offer, must fill out the form here by Wednesday 14 August 2024, and Virgin Australia will rebook you within 72 hours with the most suitable itinerary and email you a confirmation.
If you are travelling in the next 48 hours, please contact the Virgin Australia Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89 to rebook your travel.
As you will understand, Virgin Australia is experiencing high demand, so we are currently working with the airline to streamline the booking process for FCM customers, and we will keep you updated on how we can make this as simple as possible for you.
Holders of affected tickets are being advised not to go to the airport until their flight has been rebooked via these channels.
As always, we are here to support you through this process, and encourage you to reach out to your FCM travel manager if you have any questions, or if we can assist you in any way.
We are working closely with Rex and Virgin Australia to ensure all of our customers are supported, and we appreciate your understanding and patience as the industry navigates this difficult time.