Tigerair restructures after recording a FY2014 loss. A Singapore Airlines takeover seems sensible

Tigerair is further restructuring its operation in a bid to turn around its sagging financial performance. The Singapore-based low-cost carrier group incurred a net loss of SGD223 million (USD177 million) in the year ending 31-Mar-2014 compared to a loss of SGD45 million (USD36 million) the prior year.

Market conditions in Singapore have become challenging with excessive capacity levels provoking a reduction in yields and load factor. Tigerair Singapore reported an operating loss of SGD59 million (USD47 million) in FY2014 compared to a profit of SGD57 million (USD46 million) in FY2013.

All of the group's overseas affiliates continue to be unprofitable, dragging down Tigerair's bottom line and forcing the group to adjust its fleet plan. The situation at its Indonesian affiliate is particularly challenging, prompting the group to look at divesting its investment in Tigerair Mandala. The group is grounding five of Mandala's nine A320s and three of the five aircraft being returned from Tigerair Philippines. The removal of the eight aircraft along with the Mar-2014 cancellation of nine A320 orders which would have been delivered in FY2015 and FY2016 are two components of a turnaround initiative.