Regional Express [Rex] airline has announced an extra Orange-Sydney return flight and outlined plans to talk to Orange City Council about creating a partnership that could deliver one-way fares as low as $99.
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The additional flight will leave Sydney at 7.50am and return from Orange at 9.10am Monday-Friday.
Warrick Lodge, Rex’s general manager network strategy and sales said the new services would start on January 29.
“Rex will begin negotiations with the Orange City Council to enter into a partnership agreement,” he said.
“A partnership with the correct framework would ensure that the additional services are sustainable and that fares could become lower while ensuring that revenue to council is maintained.”
Mr Lodge said similar partnerships had been “highly successful” with other councils.
“A good case in point is the partnership with Parkes Shire Council where the partnership framework is delivering $99 fares between Parkes and Sydney.”
One-way Orange-Sydney fares currently start from $165.25.
A Rex spokeswoman said $99 or even cheaper fares would be discussed with the council.
Mr Lodge said the increased services represented a “significant commitment by Rex to the Orange community”.
“This decision is not without its risk as currently there are only 55,000 annual passengers for the 100,000 annual seats that will be available,” he said.
He said Rex would be providing 58 weekly Orange-Sydney services.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd welcomed the extra services.
Cr Kidd said the council was happy to talk to Rex about a new partnership.
“We’re quite happy to sit down and talk with them about a range of options,” he said.
Cr Kidd said council would not be subsidising cheaper airfares.
However he said the landing fee charges at Orange Regional Airport was an area for negotiation.
Cr Kidd said those fees were needed to maintain the airport.
Under the new schedule flights will leave Orange at 6.30am, 9.10am, 10.05am, 2.10pm and 5.25pm and depart Sydney at 7.50am, 8.50am, 12.40pm, 4.15pm and 7.10pm Monday-Friday.
Saturday services would depart Orange at 7.10am and 10.05am and Sydney at 8.50am while Sunday services would depart Orange at 2.10pm and 5.25pm and Sydney at 12.40pm, 4.15pm and 7.10pm.