Rex - Regional Express (ZL, Wagga Wagga) says it has secured an Area Air Operator’s Certificate (AAOC) from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) which will allow it to expand its vast Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) network without the need for CASA to approve each new destination.

“The AAOC authorises Rex to conduct an internal approval process for RPT services to the 16 new Queensland ports on the regulated routes that have recently been awarded to REX by the Queensland State Government," REX Chief Operating Officer Neville Howell said.

Following a tendering process, REX was awarded three additional regulated regional air routes from the Queensland government in October. The AAOC will now allow the carrier to open up flights connecting Cairns, Normanton, Mornington, Burketown, Doomadgee, Mount Isa, Brisbane International, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Saint George, QL, Cunnamulla, Thargomindah, Charleville, Quilpie, Windorah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia, Townsville, Winton, Longreach, Hughenden, Richmond, QL, and Julia Creek.

"We are very proud that we are now in a position to start operations on January 1, 2015, a mere 8 weeks after being awarded the contract,” Howell added.