Tiger flies into action
An article by Mathew Murphy in the Sydney Morning Herald says that Australia’s newest airline, budget carrier Tiger Airways, created national aviation history last week when its first commercial flight took off from Melbourne Airport bound for the Gold Coast.
One hundred and sixty nine passengers boarded the 7am flight, which took off half an hour after its scheduled departure time.
Tiger chief executive Tony Davis said today was a historic day for Australian aviation.
“This is a great day for Tiger Airways and a great day for the Australian travelling public. Finally real competition comes to Australia, genuine low fares on a consistent basis and fantastic new services,” he said.
As part of the celebrations Tiger announced it would offer 75,000 tickets on sale today only from $19.95. The ticket offer is available on services from Melbourne to Hobart, Adelaide, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Canberra and Alice Springs, although it appears Alice Springs services have been delayed by three months because Qantas cannot provide ground handling until then, holding a monopoly in Alice.
In an opening salvo to its main rivals Jetstar, which this week offered five-cent flights, Mr Davis said Tiger wasn’t interested in “gimmicky fares.”
“It shows that we are serious about offering low fares,” he said. “It is our competitors who have to initiate seat sales around Tiger’s events around Tiger’s sales … ultimately the customers will make Tiger a success in Australia.”
Passengers spoken to had paid from $100 to more than $200 to be on the inaugural flight.
Sisters Jenna and Brooke McEldrew, travelling to Gold Coast before heading away on a 7-day cruise, said the flight had been “very smooth.”
“We did take off a bit late but the staff were good at keeping everyone informed,” Brooke said after arriving at Gold Coast. “Everyone cheered when the plane landed.”
Tiger Airways, modelled on the UK’s highly successful low-cost European carrier Ryanair, has operated internationally since its first flight in September 2004, with Singapore Airlines owning a 49 per cent stake.
The Singapore Government’s investment agency Temasek Holdings has an 11 per cent stake, the Ryan family of Ryanair fame holds 16 per cent and Indigo Partners, which is associated with the former chief executive of America West Airlines, Bill Franke, owns 24 per cent.
From its home base at Tullamarine, Tiger’s five aircraft will eventually fly to Adelaide, Alice Springs, Canberra, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Newcastle, Perth, Rockhampton and the Sunshine Coast, but not to Sydney or Brisbane.
A Report by The Mole from The Sydney Morning Herald
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