Rex Airlines cuts regional flights in Victoria and Tasmania due to fuel costs
Consensus Summary
Rex Airlines announced it will cut several regional flights in Victoria and Tasmania starting June 20, 2026, citing rising fuel costs, inflation, and softer demand as key factors. The airline will cease MelbourneāDevonport and King IslandāBurnie routes entirely, while reducing MelbourneāMildura services from 24 to 19 weekly return flights. Rex will introduce new MelbourneāBurnie and MelbourneāKing Island routes with 18 and 7 weekly return flights, respectively. Both sources confirm QantasLink will become the sole regular airline operating the DevonportāMelbourne route after Rex's exit. Government officials and local MPs expressed disappointment, emphasizing the importance of air connectivity for regional communities. Mildura Airport CEO noted operational efficiency challenges, while TasPorts highlighted ongoing investments to improve passenger experience at Devonport despite the loss of Rex's services.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Rex Airlines will cease flights between Melbourne and Devonport from June 20, 2026
- Rex Airlines will reduce MelbourneāMildura services from 24 to 19 weekly return flights starting June 22, 2026
- Rex Airlines will cease flights between King Island and Burnie from June 20, 2026
- Rex Airlines cited 'volatility of a challenging operating environment' and 'sustained high fuel costs' as reasons for cuts
- QantasLink will become the sole regular airline operating DevonportāMelbourne route after Rex's exit
- Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Kerry Vincent called Rex's Devonport withdrawal 'disappointing' but noted QantasLink still services the route
- Nationals MP Anne Webster described Mildura airport as Victoriaās largest regional airport and expressed disappointment over service reductions
- Rex Airlines will introduce 18 weekly return services between Melbourne and Burnie and 7 between Melbourne and King Island
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A Rex Airlines spokesman stated: 'all passengers impacted by these changes will be supported through refunds or rebooking options.'
- Minister Vincent said: 'Any loss of air connectivity is felt strongly in regional areas and we understand the concern this decision will create.'
- Rex Airlines connects regional areas to major cities.
- TasPorts' Allan Gray said: 'While Rex's decision is disappointing for passengers who value choice, QantasLink will continue to operate services between Devonport and Melbourne, with TasPorts and Qantas continuing to invest in passenger experience improvements at Devonport Airport.'
- Mildura Airport CEO Andrew Elliott noted: 'The threshold of load factors that they're prepared to accept is probably changing, because you've got to work the aircraft a little harder and run it a little more efficiently.'
- Rex cited 'inflation and softer demand' as additional factors behind service cuts, according to TasPorts.
- Rex commenced services at Devonport Airport in August 2022 and currently accounts for about 15 per cent of passenger movements there.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Newscomau states Rex Airlines will reduce MelbourneāMildura services from 'weekly services' (unspecified number) to a lower number, while ABC specifies a reduction from 24 to 19 weekly return flights.
Source Articles
Budget airline slashes major Aussie routes
A regional Aussie airline has slashed some of its key flights between different states, blaming rising fuel costs for the cuts.
Rex Airlines announces service cuts in Victoria and Tasmania
The embattled carrier has announced it is ceasing some services and reducing others.