Virgin and Jetstar fly high despite roaring Tiger
A Report by Andrew Carswell on news.com.au says that despite being shadowed by ultra-cheap Tiger Airways, incumbents Virgin Blue and Jetstar are set to record bumper December passenger figures that belie the newcomer’s competitive threat.
Virgin Blue will not only attain record passenger numbers this year, it is set for its busiest Christmas-holiday period yet, a Virgin Blue spokeswoman said.
It is a similar forecast coming out of the Jetstar base with the Qantas offshoot recording impressive seat revenue figures since Tiger’s arrival. Both airlines confirmed that sales had not been impacted by Tiger’s presence in the domestic market, despite its claim of 91 per cent load factors across its services since taking off in late November.
Adding fuel to the competitive firestorm that is gripping the industry, Tiger Airlines announced yesterday it had exercised its options to buy 20 more Airbus 320s, taking its total order to 70 aircraft.
On current performance and up against their own order books, both Virgin Blue and Jetstar still believe the Singapore-funded airline will continue to be a tame competitor.
“It is a record year for Virgin Blue and a record period for this time of the year,” a Virgin Blue spokeswoman said. “Even on routes we share with Tiger, we have not experienced any decline in passengers.”
Tiger Airways chief Tony Davis said his airline was entering an exciting new phase of development.
“The A320 has performed outstandingly for Tiger Airways over the past three years and I am confident that the A320 aircraft matches our long-term growth requirements across the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
A Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

































Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive