Regional Express Group (Rex) intends to be the next aerial operator of the Australian Antarctic Programme, having submitted a response to the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) request for information (RFI). The Australian Antarctic Programme will spend the coming five months preparing the optimal solution, ahead of the Request for Tender expected in November 2023.
Craig Martin, Antarctic Project Manager, Rex, said: “This ambitious and challenging programme requires an operator that has deep knowledge of aviation across a whole range of platforms as well as proven organisational excellence in operating special missions.
“We also have deep knowledge of special mission work, having carried out tactical flying for the Department of Defence for 20 years as well as specialised aeromedical services for over 12 years as the selected air ambulance operator for both the State Governments of New South Wales and Victoria, with another 10 years running on both contracts,” said Martin.
The programme will delegate all highly specialised aerial operations to one operator, requiring expanded capabilities comprising one large intercontinental passenger jet, four intracontinental turboprop aircraft with skis operation capabilities, four twin-engine helicopters which can operate both on land and on the AAD’s flagship RSV Nuyina, as well as a significant upscale of Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) capability during the Antarctic Austral Summer, taking place from October to March.
Rex has assembled a panel of experts on the Antarctic environment, the Antarctic Advisory Panel (AAP), to combine practical knowledge of aerial operations in the Antarctic with design expertise on adapting aerial platforms with skis that can land on unprepared terrain in the Antarctic.
“We believe there is no better Australian candidate than the Rex Group with its expertise in operating a fleet of 150 aircraft in every state,” continued Martin, “ranging from Boeing 737-800NG, Embraer E190 airliners, De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops, over 55 Saab 340 turboprops, one of the largest fleets of Beechcraft King Air aircraft in Australia and the recently introduced Pilatus PC24 jets.”
Image: Rex collection
