Tiger Airways expands fleet and flights

Budget carrier Tiger Airways said it is to add six Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet by March next year as part of moves to step up operations and capture the growing appetite for low-fare travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

The move will increase the size of its fleet to 20 aircraft.

The carrier also said that it will increase flights to destinations such as Bangkok and Taipei, reintroduce services to Bangalore and add Cebu as a new destination.

The announcement follows news that Tiger Airways emerged first in the Low-Cost Carrier category in Changi Airport’s first ranking of airlines. Tiger also placed third overall for passenger carriage.

Mr Stewart Adams, managing director of Tiger Airways Singapore, said: “The regional air travel sector is booming and our operations have been very encouraging. Singapore Changi Airport registered an 11 per cent growth in passenger movements from January to June 2011. This was led by a 25 per cent increase in passenger movements for budget carriers during the same period, demonstrating the robustness of the low cost carrier model.”

These additional aircraft will allow passengers to explore more places than ever before at great value fares, he said.