Regional Express (Rex) has applauded the Federal Government on its positive response to recommendations made in the Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR) Report. The Report provides 37 recommendations to repair the damage done by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to the airline industry and to reverse the toxic relationship that currently exists between the two.

On behalf of the company, Rex Chief Operating Officer Neville Howell commended the government on only outright rejecting one recommendation.

“Rex is pleased to see that the government has accepted 32 recommendations and has committed to further reviewing another four. Industry has suffered for far too long and we are happy to see the Abbott Government taking firm action on this critical issue.”

“Rex provided comprehensive feedback on the recommendations to the review panel, and is pleased to see the collaborative approach taken by the government in forming its response.”

“We note that the government has only agreed in principle with some key recommendations and we urge them to fulfil the full intent of the ASRR Report recommendations and not just pay lip service. We now hold the government to actually implementing the recommendations without undue delay and hope that it will move much faster than it has done in selecting the
new CASA board members and CEO.”

“The government has been in office now for more than a year during which time the industry has been waiting for decisive action from the Minister. We do not have any more time to waste before the next election comes around again.”

“Rex would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new CASA board members and CEO, and looks forward to a much more collaborative working relationship with CASA.”

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia's largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of more than 40 Saab 340 aircraft on some 1,300 weekly flights to 52 destinations throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland. The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel-Air Aviation and Dubbobased regional airline Air Link, as well as the pilot academy Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

Rex Media Contact: Corporate Communications – +61 402 438 361

The government's response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review Report is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/asrr/index.aspx