Australian regional carrier Rex announced the acquisition of a Boeing 737 Full Flight Simulator (B737 FFS) from Boeing US Training & Flight Services LLC. The B737 FFS satisfies the Qualification Level D requirements promulgated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and will be used for type ratings, recurrent training and proficiency checks. It is also certified for Upset Recovery Training (UPRT) and can be configured for a number of variants of the B737, including B737-800, B737-700 and B737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).
The B737 FFS will continue to be housed at and maintained by Ansett Aviation Training (AAT) in Brisbane. It will later be co-located with the SAAB 340 FFS at Rex’s Simulator Centre in Sydney when the latter is ready in 2 years’ time. Rex will make the B737 FFS available for use by other carriers, within Australia and internationally, whenever spare slots are available. The acquisition of the Boeing 737 FFS bolsters Rex’s position in the domestic market by strengthening our training capabilities and demonstrates Rex’s long-term commitment to domestic operations in Australia.
Rex said on Wednesday (9 June) that it is now forecasting a full-year loss of A$15 million due to ongoing lockdowns in various parts of Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline, which is locked in a battle with flag carrier Qantas and Virgin Australia for inter-state travel, had earlier forecast it would break even for the financial year. Rex has cancelled many flights to and from Melbourne in Australia’s Victoria state over the last two weeks after the state experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. The disruption comes after the airline in March began flying between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as it challenges Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin in domestic travel.
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