Business
25 June, 2025
Frustrated mayors want Rex sale to be fast-tracked
North West leaders believe service levels have dropped since the airline went into administration.
The chair of the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils says communities are beginning to lose patience with the protracted sale process of Rex Airlines, claiming services are beginning to suffer in the Outback.
Etheridge Shire mayor Barry Hughes said he welcomed the renewed commitment from federal Transport Minister Catherine King to support the continued operation of Rex as administrators proceed to finalise the sale of the airline, but insisted that the sale process had to be sped up.
“We understand the administrators are in advanced stages of the sale negotiation but in the meantime, aircraft are breaking down, flights are being cancelled, and confidence is deteriorating,” Cr Hughes said.
“We need the administrator to get on with the job. Communities across the North West need certainty. Finalise the sale and deliver a long-term solution that includes investment in the fleet and the services our communities rely on and deserve.
NWQROC represents 12 councils across the North West, and councils have expressed growing concern about the increasing unreliability of Rex services, a sentiment which is echoed across most of western Queensland.
Richmond Shire mayor John Wharton said the failures were directly impacting the quality of life for residents.
“We’ve had people sitting at the airport in Richmond for hours, only to be told no plane is coming,” he said.
“This is more than inconvenient – it’s unacceptable. On the other end of those flights are medical appointments, business opportunities and personal expenses gone.
“We want and deserve better.”
Flinders Shire mayor Kate Peddle said the existing aviation services fall short of what was needed.
“The reality is that we will soon need to accommodate a substantially higher number of workers, and this will require aircraft with greater capacity,” she said.
“I strongly urge any new ownership of Rex to engage directly with local councils, commit to investing in fleet upgrades, and acknowledge the pressing needs of regional communities like ours.
“We must have all stakeholders around the same table to create a sustainable, future-proof solution for air travel in Hughenden.”