Tiger makes an early start to explore its new domain
A report by Steve Creedy, in The Australian says that Tiger Airways faces a busy week as it launched its first tranche of new routes and moves to establish its credentials as Australia’s newest low-fare airline.
The Singapore-backed start-up received its air operator’s certificate last week and launched its first flights between Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Three of the five A320s comprising its launch fleet are already in the country and the other two are due to arrive next month.
The airline has appointed an executive from its Singapore office, bmibaby veteran Chris Ward, to head its Australian operations.
Services to Rockhampton and Mackay also begin today and the airline will move into overdrive next week.
Tiger will launch services to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Tuesday, Perth on Wednesday, Launceston on Thursday, Darwin on Friday and Alice Springs on Saturday. There will then be a break before the airline launches services to Adelaide on January 10, Hobart on January 15, Newcastle on January 18 and Canberra on February 14.
Tiger spokesman Matt Hobbs said that, to save money, today’s launch would be without the “razzamatazz” of its competitors.
“We’re keeping it nice and simple and factual,” he said. “A full plane speaks much more than lots of balloons.” “We’ll probably give a certificate to the passengers.”
Tiger has indicated it will bring more aircraft into Australia if there is a good response to its services. Mr Hobbs said forward bookings were “fabulous”.
Mr Hobbs said this was phase one of its operations.
“We’re constantly looking at new opportunities but it’s a matter of bedding down the operation,” he said.
The managing director of tourism lobby group TTF Australia, Christopher Brown, said the arrival of Tiger continued the low-cost revolution of the past few years that had made a European-style city break possible for Australians. “It is particularly pleasing that Tiger is committed to destinations beyond the capital cities, such as the Newcastle and the Gold Coast,” he said.
“These airports and the surrounding regions have already benefited from the significant economic and tourism benefits of low-cost services from Jetstar and Virgin Blue.”
Transport Minister at the time last week Mark Vaile said Tiger’s low fares and increased competition in the domestic market was “terrific news” for Australian travellers.
A report by The Mole from The Australian
John Alwyn-Jones
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