National Jet Express

Every major airport in Western Australia achieved growth in passenger numbers last year, with Broome and Kalgoorlie hitting annual records.

The international owners of Cobham Aviation Services, which is one of the major players in the FIFO charter market in WA, have announced a strategic review that could lead to new ownership.

Qantas has reaffirmed its desire to gain control of Alliance Aviation Services despite the competition watchdog today expressing concern about the two airlines coming together.

Cobham Aviation Services said there was keen interest from potential buyers of the company, as it took delivery of its newest aircraft in Western Australia.

Regional Express appears to have its sights set on a foray into the fly-in fly-out sector, entering a trading halt after revealing it was vying for a slice of Cobham Aviation’s operations.

Rex has acquired the fly-in, fly-out arm of Cobham Aviation for $48 million, a move it hopes will help it become a premier operator in the lucrative resources sector.

The competition watchdog is seeking to maintain four independent operators in the fly-in, fly-out market, flagging plans to quash Virgin’s partnership with Alliance over fears it would erode competition.

Regional Express Holdings has secured two contracts to offer additional weekly flights for the fly-in, fly-out market in Western Australia.

Perth-based fly-in, fly-out airline National Jet Express has come under the full ownership of two Singapore-based directors including former Rex Airlines chairman Lim Kim Hai.