Darwin and Changi in the eye of the Tiger
SYDNEY (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation) - Darwin Airport will become Tiger Airways' 12th destination and first in Australia next month, with the commencement of four times weekly service from Singapore.
The route has attracted strong financial and marketing support from the Northern Territory Government and Darwin Airport. The latter expects 37,500 additional seats per year - a 40% boost in total international seat capacity.
Since launching services on 15-Sep-04, the carrier has used available rights to quickly build a substantial intra-Asian network spanning six countries, including an innovative triangular route between Singapore, Manila and Macau airports. Tiger's service takes advantage of fifth freedom rights available at Manila's Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, formerly Clark Airbase.
Meanwhile, Tiger is also preparing to launch three times weekly service to Kolkata next year and is also pushing for access to Malaysia, stating it was keen to use Kuala Lumpur's new LCC terminal. Overall, Tiger hopes to carry 3 million passengers in 2006, adding services to southern China and Cambodia. To facilitate its expansion, Tiger will take delivery of its fifth and sixth A320s in Mar-06, three in Winter 2006 and three more aircraft in Summer 2007. Tiger's expansion plans should provide confidence for Singapore's new LCC Terminal, which has encountered difficulties in attracting carriers.
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