Australian regional carrer Rex Airlines has announced it will build a Boeing Flight Simulator Centre at Rex’s Sydney headquarters, construct a new aircraft hangar and boost the capacity of its call centre in Orange. The plans will be funded as part of the A$250 million Jobs Plus programme from the New South Wales government and which includes payroll tax relief, streamlined planning approvals and rebates enabling infrastructure construction. Australian businesses that currently employ 20 or more staff, and international companies with at least 80 current employees, looking to establish a minimum of 30 new jobs before June 2024, are eligible to apply for the Jobs Plus programme.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said securing Sydney as the airline’s national hub was part of the government’s economic recovery strategy. “A strong domestic aviation sector is critical to our recovery from the pandemic and it’s important there is healthy competition in the industry,” Perrottet said. “By supporting Rex Airlines to expand its Sydney headquarters we are not only creating thousands of new jobs, but signalling to the world that NSW is open and ready to welcome travellers.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said this investment would lead to 1,300 direct and 1,200 indirect jobs by June 2024. “This funding builds on our commitment to better connect people across all corners of the state, whether it is locals travelling to the city or Sydneysiders checking out what regional NSW has to offer,” Toole said. “Regional NSW is the engine room of the state and this investment will bolster Rex’s regional footprint, helping stimulate local economies, boosting livelihoods and creating jobs where they’re needed most.”
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the government was backing a well-established NSW business with an impeccable track record. Rex Airlines has demonstrated its commitment to growing its domestic network and providing consumers with safe, reliable and affordable air travel,” Ayres said. “Last year, we incentivised international airlines to recommence flights to Sydney through a $60 million fund. Supporting the domestic sector to continue those interstate journeys is another crucial step as part of our COVID-19 recovery response plans. This support will mean jobs right across the board, from construction and maintenance, catering and office staff through to new flight attendants, pilots and engineers who will also benefit from the new training facilities. All of these roles combined will play a big part in strengthening our economy over the next couple of years.”
Rex Airlines Deputy Chairman John Sharp welcomed the support of the New South Wales government in the company’s planned expansion. “Without the Jobs Plus Program assistance, Rex’s expansion plans in the state would never have materialised in this pandemic climate and many new jobs would not be created,” Sharp said.
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