Progressing towards its goal of becoming the primary aerial operator for Australia’s Antarctica Program, regional and domestic airline Rex has taken a significant stride. The agreement encompasses both fixed and rotary wing flying, prompting Rex to collaborate with local enterprise Helicopter Resources for the helicopter segment of the contract with the Australian Antarctic Division.
Recently, the Regional Express Group (Rex) disclosed an exclusive partnership with Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd (Heli Resources), a Tasmanian-based company. This collaboration holds paramount importance in Rex’s preparations for the imminent Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) tender. The tender seeks a single operator to consolidate and oversee all specialized aerial activities required to support operations within the icy realm.
Having issued a Request for Information (RFI) in July outlining the aerial program’s scope and expectations from potential operators, the AAD is gearing up for a formal tender process slated to commence this November. Rex is poised to be a prime contender for the role of the program’s aerial operator.
Specifically, the RFI called for the provision of up to four twin-engine helicopters capable of both land and sea operations, including deployment on the AAD’s flagship vessel, the RSV Nuyina. As per the recent agreement, Rex will take on the role of the principal contractor, while Heli Resources will serve as the sub-contractor responsible for helicopter operations. This arrangement aligns with Rex’s strategy of pooling expertise and resources to fulfill the multifaceted aerial demands.
What lends robustness to this partnership is Heli Resources’ extensive experience of over 40 years operating in the Antarctic, amassing more than 35,000 flight hours in the challenging environment. Over this period, they have supported Antarctic programs for various countries, including Australia, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, China, and Pakistan.
Craig Martin is Rex’s Antarctic Project Manager and believes that the resources within the Rex Group make it an ideal candidate to run the AAD aerial program. Expressing his confidence in the partnership with Heli Resources, he said there is no other helicopter operator with as much experience operating in the Antarctic.
“Heli Resources has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety and reliable delivery of helicopter services, earning the trust of AAD after decades of Antarctic operations. The Rex Group cannot have hoped for a better partner for the complementary helicopter capability elements anticipated in the tender.”
The extent of what Rex is pulling together becomes evident after a quick scan of what the AAD requires in aerial support. The RFI details the program requires the capabilities of one large intercontinental passenger jet, four intracontinental turboprop aircraft able to operate on skis, and four twin-engine helicopters that can operate on land and sea, including to the RSV Nuyina.
The RFI also calls for a significant scaling up of the Uncrewed Aerial System capability for the division’s operations during the Antarctic Austral Summer, which runs between October to March. Throughout the Group, Rex currently operates aircraft, including Boeing 737-800s, Embraer E190s, De Havilland Dash 8-400s, Saab 340s, King Air turboprops, and Pilatus PC24 jets.
