David Eyre 
VH-ZRZ Saab 340B (MSN 340B-388) owned by Regional Express (REX), at Perth Airport – 18 March 2016. Lining up for departure on runway 03 at 4:26 pm. Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Flight ZL2112 from Albany, on final approach to runway 21 at 7:35am. Photo © David Eyre
22 December 2017 © David Eyre
Regional Express (Rex) will take over Perth-Carnarvon-Monkey Mia (Shark Bay/Denham) services for five years, from 1 July 2018, replacing local operator Skippers Aviation.
The Western Australian Department of Transport regulates certain air routes to ensure they are regular, efficient and commercially viable, and Rex won the tender for this route.
Rex, which is headquartered in New South Wales, commenced flying in WA in February 2016, when it won the 5-year State Government tender for Perth to Albany and Perth to Esperance services, using Saab 340B aircraft. It currently bases three aircraft in Western Australia on rotation from its fleet of 53 Saab 340s.
Skippers Aviation currently uses Embraer 120 Brasilia and Bombardier Dash 8-100 aircraft on the Perth-Carnarvon-Monkey Mia route. Skippers has retained the contract for Perth-Northern Goldfields routes, including Laverton, Leonora, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet and Wiluna.
Does anyone know if the flight times will be the same as with Skippers? As in will there be flights from Perth to Carnarvon on Saturdays?
Would love to know too. I called Rex, they can’t release any details as they have not signed contract yet (as at 1 Feb). They are apparently still in negotiations with the government, so the frequency and schedule is not yet settled. They will be notifying me by email when details are released.
Suggest you request the same from their Corporate Communications Officer:
Jessica Makarewitsch
jessica.makarewitsch@rex.com.au
Ph 13 17 13
Rex schedules have been released and they will start taking bookings from 1 March 2018.