Australia’s Regional Express expects to complete its acquisition of charter operator National Jet Express by the end of the month, after gaining final regulatory approvals.
The airline on 16 September says it received a no objection notification from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board. It follows approvals from the country’s competition commission in late-July.
Rex announced its plan to acquire National Jet Express, the regional services unit of Cobham Aviation Services Australia, in mid-July for about A$48 million ($32.3 million), giving it a foothold in the lucrative fly-in, fly-out sector.
National Jet Express provides fly-in, fly-out services in the south and west of the country, and also operates domestic freight flights out of Sydney to various cities.
The carrier uses a fleet of eight De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops and six Embraer 190 regional jets.
Rex executive chairman Lim Kim Hai told FlightGlobal in August he expects the new unit to retain the National Jet branding, as well as its operating fleet.
