Rex has announced it will challenge Qantas to fly Sydney–Canberra in the latest exchange in the pair’s bitter row over network expansion. The regional carrier even accused its rival, the only carrier on the route, of “fare gouging” and said it would offer customers annual savings of up to $100 million when capacity returns to pre-COVID levels. The news comes as the two businesses have been involved in a tit-for-tat argument over launching new services, which started with Rex accusing Qantas of using “predatory” tactics to compete with it on previously exclusive routes. The flag carrier responded by arguing that its smaller rival was throwing a “tantrum”. On Wednesday, Rex said it would fly seven return flights a day between Canberra and Sydney from 19 April, but could increase that to 10.<br/>