Regional Express (Rex) announced today that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued to Rex an Area Air Operator's Certificate (AAOC). The AAOC will provide Rex with the flexibility to expand its vast Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) regional network without the need for CASA to approve each new port. Rex's newly awarded AAOC will cover all of Australia.

Rex Chief Operating Officer Neville Howell said, "The AAOC is a reflection of the confidence that CASA has in Rex's safety management systems and clearly indicates that Rex is viewed by the regulator as a very mature and competent RPT operator."

"This is an important milestone for the Rex Group and we are very proud of the fact that we are the only independent regional airline in Australia that has been awarded an AAOC."

"The AAOC authorises Rex to conduct an internal approval process for RPT services to the 16 new Queensland ports on the regulated routes that have recently been awarded to Rex by the Queensland State Government. We are very proud that we are now in a position to start operations on 1 January 2015, a mere 8 weeks after being awarded the contract."

"Rex would like to acknowledge the efforts of CASA who worked collaboratively with the Rex team in completing the AAOC application process within a short 8-week timeframe.

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia's largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of more than 40 Saab 340 aircraft on some 1,300 weekly flights to 52 destinations throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland. The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel-Air Aviation and Dubbobased regional airline Air Link, as well as the pilot academy Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

Rex Media Contact: Corporate Communications – +61 402 438 361