National Jet Express (NJE) has begun twice-weekly FIFO services between Cairns and Moranbah as it continues to expand in Queensland.
The Rex subsidiary will fly Dash 8-400NG aircraft on its second route servicing the coal mining town in the state’s north, complementing its services between Moranbah and Brisbane, which had been its first Queensland route when it entered the state in July last year.
“In the short time since our debut in Queensland in July 2023, this is the 4th new long-term contract for our services that NJE has secured across the mining, resources and construction sectors,” said NJE’s GM for business development, Alex Ananian Cooper.
“This clearly demonstrates that these sectors are seeking an operator they can rely on which can deliver the services in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. To meet the demand for our premium, reliable services, NJE will redouble its efforts to aggressively grow its fleet in Queensland with both the Dash 8-400NG and the Embraer E190.
“As part of the Rex Group, NJE is able to leverage on Rex’s extensive intrastate RPT network with 24 destinations in Queensland as well as on Rex’s interstate connections to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to provide a seamless service for our customers.”
The commencement of Cairns-Moranbah comes just weeks after NJE began services to Gladstone, and represents a further push into the traditional heartland of rival Alliance.
At the time Rex purchased NJE in 2022, deputy chairman John Sharp told The Australian Financial Review, “The mining industry doesn’t want to be dominated by Qantas, and it wants a strong, healthy competitor because, if the market is dominated by Qantas, Qantas will gouge the market.
“So, our role will be to ensure the mining industry has choices.”
Rex’s executive chairman, Lim Kim Hai, called FIFO a “booming sector” in Australia that is set to experience strong growth.
“With this acquisition, Rex will have a FIFO arm that is simply unparalleled in Australia,” he said.
Lim added the company would “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, the safety of its staff, and reliability of service”.
