Australia's Rex Group will acquire Cobham's Regional Services business unit.

The Australian Rex Group has announced today that it is buying National Jet Express Pty Ltd,  the regional services arm of Cobham Aviation Services Australia, subject to regulatory approval. 

National Jet Express is a leading provider of Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) services in Western Australia and South Australia. In addition, it operates freight services from Sydney to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne 

and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta), as well as air charter services in Papua New Guinea. Revenue for NJE in the calendar year 2021 was $142m.

Commenting on the purchase, Rex’s Executive Chairman, Lim Kim Hai said, “FIFO services are expected to experience strong growth in Australia and this acquisition positions the Rex Group to participate in this booming sector.  With this acquisition, Rex will have a FIFO arm that is simply unparalleled in Australia. NJE has a completely modern fleet comprising eight Bombardier Q400 turboprops and six Embraer E190 jets for FIFO work. Both aircraft types are fuel efficient, and have enhanced operational reliability and low carbon emissions when compared with the predominantly 40-year-old Fokker 100s used by the other major FIFO operators.

I believe that NJE’s modern aircraft fleet and its long-term customer relationships overlayed with Rex’s proven record of safety, reliability and cost efficiencies would propel NJE to be the premier FIFO operator in Australia. NJE will naturally be the partner of choice for resource companies all over Australia who have been crying out for so long for a FIFO provider that is able to address their triple priorities of minimal impact on the environment, comfort and safety of its staff and reliability of service.

The Company will invest in modern aircraft and technology to enable NJE to expand from its traditional bases of WA and SA and bring our unique brand of FIFO services also to Queensland and Northern Territory.”

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 and six Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to 58 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the two pilot academies, Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.

Cobham continues to grow its fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft

Cobham’s fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft dedicated to charter and fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) flights continues to grow, as the fifth aircraft of this type was welcomed into the fleet last week, arriving in Perth on 17 March.

Cobham’s E190 and Q400 aircraft are a critical link in connecting workers to resource sites in remote locations across Australia. They also provide flexible, bespoke charter flights to city centres, regional towns and domestic holiday destinations.

As demand grows for Cobham’s modern, reliable and comfortable aircraft with greater environmental credentials than most operating within the closed charter market, the company is steadily introducing more aircraft.

Cobham’s Regional Services Managing Director Claude Alviani said “Cobham is committed to providing air travel options with lower carbon emissions for a greener future and we have plans underway to introduce three more modern aircraft to our fleet in the coming months.”

Embraer 190 (E190) facts:

The E190 is one of the most environmentally friendly jets in the world: exceeding the Civil Aviation Organisation’s noise and emission requirements.

Every passenger gets either a window or aisle seat – there is no middle seat.

The wings of the E190 are fitted with winglets, reducing drag and providing increased lift and improved efficiency.

Embraer is the third-largest manufacturer of aeroplanes in the world.

Photo credits thanks to Richard Kreider, instagram @richard.kreider and @lin.aviation

Follow this site here.

Cobham continues to grow its greener fleet

Cobham’s sixth de Havilland Q400 aircraft has touched down in Perth to join the company’s modern, lower emission fleet dedicated to charters and fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) services in support of Australian mining, oil & gas projects. The aircraft is scheduled to commence flights in mid-February.

Cobham’s Regional Services Managing Director Claude Alviani said that Cobham’s growing Q400 fleet catered to the increasing response by the energy & resources sector to reduce emissions, meet ESG commitments and improve environmental outcomes.

“The Q400 turboprop has the lowest fuel consumption per passenger seat of any turboprop in the industry while maintaining jet-like speed. It offers a 30% reduction in fuel burn compared with competing regional jets, radically reducing carbon emissions,” Mr Alviani said.

As a critical link in the energy and resource sector, Cobham has been investing in the future of FIFO by progressively renewing its fleet with modern aircraft that offer a better passenger experience and greater benefits to the environment. The E190 jet and Q400 turboprop provide greater flexibility of rosters, suitability for regional aerodromes, increased reliability, and low carbon emissions.

“Cobham is committed to providing air travel options with lower carbon emissions for a greener future and we have plans underway to introduce four more modern aircraft to our fleet in the coming months,” Mr Alviani said.

More top stories you might be interested in.....

Follow this site here.

New dawn for Cobham at Sunrise Dam

2022 saw a new dawn for Cobham with the commencement of E190 flight services to Sunrise Dam. The Sunrise Dam gold mine is located 220km northeast of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and is 100% owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti Australia. Underground mining is now the primary source of ore following the completion of the open pit in 2014.

Cobham is providing six return flights per week to transport more than 600 workers to and from Sunrise Dam, using E190 and Q400 aircraft.

“We’re thrilled to bring the benefits of the Embraer E190 and Q400 aircraft to AngloGold Ashanti,” said Cobham’s Business Development Director Tim Pirga.

Cobham has enhanced its service offering with the introduction of modern aircraft dedicated to the charter market. Its fleet of Q400 and E190 aircraft types offer outstanding airfield performance, enhanced operational reliability and low carbon emissions.

“We look forward to welcoming additional E190 and Q400 aircraft to our fleet throughout 2022 to enable us to meet the increasing demand not only in the FIFO sector but also for ad hoc charter flights for a wide range of clients,” Tim said.

More top stories you might be interested in.....

Follow this site here.

Another Embraer E190 for Cobham

Cobham’s third Embraer 190 aircraft took to the skies for its inaugural passenger flight last week to bolster the regional Australian airline's fleet dedicated to VIP charters and fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) flights in support of Australian mining, oil & gas projects.

As a leading charter and FIFO partner, Cobham has been progressively modernising and expanding its fleet, introducing the E190 jet and Q400 turboprop to provide its clients with greater flexibility of rosters, suitability for paved and unpaved regional aerodromes, increased reliability and low carbon emissions.

“Since we launched our fleet renewal program we have welcomed five new Q400s, with this latest E190 bringing our number of these aircraft types to three,” said Tim Pirga, Cobham’s Business Development Director.

“The Cobham team is hard at work planning the introduction of another two aircraft - a fourth E190 and sixth Q400 - as we countdown to 2022.”

The E190 main cabin provides a step up from established FIFO passenger comfort levels with more space, a wider aisle and 104 seats in 2 x 2 configuration. Service quality is further enhanced by aircraft performance that delivers shorter flight times, full passenger uplift in hot conditions and reliability that ensures minimal disruption to FIFO schedules.

“Continually improving our service delivery is essential to our growth. We are excited to bring the benefits of a modern, flexible aircraft fleet to FIFO clients in Australia,” Tim said.

More top stories you might be interested in.....

Follow this site here.