Responding to reports from the tabloids that cited anonymous sources accusing Rex of having a poor safety culture, Regional Express (Rex) confirms that the same wild accusations have been raised by a disgruntled engineer and his union, first to the Fair Work Commission and then to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Rex’s Chief Operating Officer Neville Howell said, “Realising that these baseless accusations are not getting any traction, some are now taking the despicable and cowardly approach of launching anonymous malicious attacks on Rex in the press. Rex has been advised by the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers’ Association (ALAEA) that it is CASA that is behind the anonymous leaks: ”As a result of a CASA leak to the media, REX is the subject of several adverse media articles related to (name of engineer)’s matter.” “Rex had already invited senior management of CASA on 18 June 2019 to have a full briefing on the matter as well as to discuss the professional failings of the disgruntled engineer.” “We believe that our safety culture, as part of the Safety Management System, is second to none. Rex is proud of its Safety Management System and CASA has written to us on 22 May 2019 to advise: “I would like to re-iterate my previous advice that the Board and Management of CASA have no current safety concerns with Rex. …CASA is satisfied that Rex is currently meeting all its obligations.” “Rex will not be making any further comments on this matter and we will leave it to the safety authority to judge if our safety culture is lacking in any manner.” Regional Express (Rex) is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of more than 50 Saab 340 aircraft on some 1,500 weekly flights to 60 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the regional airline Regional Express, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the Australian Airline Pilot Academy.
Photo courtesy of www.rex.com.au
