Australian regional carrier Rex announced that it has signed a sale and purchase agreement which will result in its subsidiary Rex Freight and Charter Pty Ltd (RFC) acquiring 100 percent of National Jet Express Pty Ltd (NJE), the regional services arm of Cobham Aviation Services Australia (Cobham).
NJE is a provider of Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) services in Western Australia and South Australia. In addition, it operates freight services from Sydney to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta), as well as air charter services in Papua New Guinea. Revenue for NJE in the calendar year 2021 was A$142 million. Completion of the sale will be subject to regulatory approvals, including FIRB approval. It is envisaged that shareholder approval will not be required.
Rex’s executive chairman, Lim Kim Hai, said, “FIFO services are expected to experience strong growth in Australia and this acquisition positions the Rex Group to participate in this booming sector. With this acquisition, Rex will have a FIFO arm that is simply unparalleled in Australia. NJE has a completely modern fleet comprising eight Bombardier Q400 turboprops and six Embraer E190 jets for FIFO work. Both aircraft types are fuel efficient, have enhanced operational reliability and low carbon emissions when compared with the predominantly 40-year-old Fokker 100s used by the other major FIFO operators.”
“I believe that NJE’s modern aircraft fleet and its long-term customer relationships overlayed with Rex’s proven record of safety, reliability and cost efficiencies would propel NJE to be the premier FIFO operator in Australia,” Lim added. “NJE will 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 and safety of its staff and reliability of service. The company will invest in modern aircraft and technology to enable NJE to expand from its traditional bases of WA and SA and bring our unique brand of FIFO services also to Queensland and Northern Territory.”
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