Rex adds helicopters as it pushes to get into Antarctica
Airline Regional Express (Rex) has bolstered its pitch to win a government tender to provide aerial services in the Antarctic by teaming up with Helicopter Resources to bid for the contract.
Last month, Rex announced its intention to bid for the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) contract, which involves the provision of jet and helicopter services.
Rex wants to win a big contract flying in Antarctica. Alamy
On Thursday, Rex said it had partnered with Helicopter Resources, the incumbent provider of helicopter services to the AAD with operations in Antarctica since 1975, given the contract’s requirement for the provision of up to four twin-engine helicopters capable of land and sea operations.
“Under the joint venture agreement, Rex will serve as the prime contractor, and Heli Resources will be the subcontractor, working together exclusively to deliver a complementary helicopter solution in response to the Antarctic tender,” the airline said in a statement.
Rex’s Antarctic project manager, Craig Martin, said Heli Resources was the most experienced helicopter operator in the Antarctic, and the company planned to engage with more specialist providers to manage other aspects of the program to help it win the tender.
“We believe there is no better Australian candidate than the Rex Group with its expertise in operating a fleet of 150 aircraft in every state, ranging from Boeing 737-800NG, Embraer E190 airliners, De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops, over 55 Saab 340 turboprops, one of the largest fleet of Beechcraft King Air aircraft in Australia, and the recently introduced Pilatus PC24 jets,” Mr Martin said.
Rex has been engaged to do tactical flying for the Australian Defence Force for the past 20 years, in addition to its
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