Virgin Australia receives first of two ex REX 737s

Virgin Australia (VA/VOZ) has received the first of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft that were previously leased to REX Airlines (ZL/RXA) prior to it entering voluntary administration in late July 2024. VH-REX departed Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK/WIII) as VA9944, arriving at Melbourne (MEL/YMML) on 21 November 2024, still wearing REX Airlines livery. After arriving back into the country, VH-REX headed to Wagga Wagga (WGA/YSWG) the following day to be painted into Virgin Australia livery.

The airline had originally announced that it would be leasing three Boeing 737-800 aircraft that REX Airlines had leased, but it is understood that only VH-REX (ex VH-VUU) and VH-RQP (ex VH-BZG) will be the aircraft in which Virgin Australia will be leasing, while VH-PAG (ex VH-VUV) has since flown to the USA for storeage and will not be joining the VA fleet. These had been previously operated by Virgin Blue/Virgin Airlines when develivered brand new from Boeing.