Qantas, Rex trade barbs – yet again – over regional competition

Qantas has hit back again at domestic rival Regional Express’ claims about the former’s “predatory actions” in the regional and domestic market, the latest in the two carriers’ neverending dogfight. The national carrier has debunked what it views as a series of “false claims” mounted by Rex, and called the smaller operator out for blaming its problems on Qantas. On 30 May, Rex announced it would axe five regional routes from its network – the second network cut in nearly a week – and hinted at “further adjustments” to the regional operating network. Rex said it made the cuts to the five cities - some of which have been served by Rex for over 20 years - because of Qantas’s “bullying and heartless behaviour”. Hours following the announcement, Qantas issued a strongly-worded statement responding to Rex’s allegations. It notes that of the five flights Rex was cutting, Qantas was only operating on two of them, with Rex being the only operator on the other routes. “This is just the latest example of Rex blaming Qantas and others for decisions that by its own admission it has made ‘to look after itself’”, the airline states. It adds: “Rex’s standard approach whenever it withdraws from a route is to blame others, usually Qantas.” On claims that its presence on regional routes drives out competition, Qantas says “the reality is” that its services “have been welcomed” by regional communities. <br/>