History
Australian government policy and legislation currently permits airlines that are 100% foreign-owned to operate domestic airline services within the country. The change in regulations originally applied only to New Zealand-owned airlines in 1996, but were later relaxed, resulting in the establishment of Virgin Australia. Australian international airlines are still subject to ownership rules that limit foreign ownership to 49%.
The Australian Foreign Investment Review Board gave approval for Tiger Airways to establish its wholly owned Australian subsidiary in March 2007 without any special conditions. On 16 March 2007 Tiger Airways Australia Pty. Ltd. was incorporated in the Northern Territory, although the company is based in Melbourne, with Melbourne Airport being the airline's major hub.
5 aircraft and A$10 million were committed to start the subsidiary. The airline's business model is based on that of sister airline Tiger Airways, which attempts to increase the total market size (number of passengers), control operating costs, and maximise the number of sectors served. One way it planned to keep costs low was by avoiding expensive airports.
Tiger undertook the final stage of Australian regulatory procedures on 20 November 2007, successfully performing two proving flights from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast and Launceston. Each carried officials from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as well as Tiger crew. Tiger received its Air Operator's Certificate on 22 November.
The aircraft used by Tiger Airways Australia have the same livery as its Singapore sister company. The airline projected initial traffic of 2 million passengers annually.
Tiger Airways Australia's first scheduled flight was TT 7402, which departed from Melbourne for the Gold Coast on 23 November 2007.
On 31 May 2008 the airline announced that passengers would be charged a fee for checked-in luggage. The fee was A$10 (for 15 kg of luggage) at booking or A$20 at check-in.
Tiger announced on 3 April 2009 their intention to launch in the Melbourne–Sydney market, the fifth busiest passenger route in the world, signalling an end to its operational policy of avoiding expensive airports.
On 18 July, Tiger announced an increase in its Melbourne–Sydney flights by up to nine flights a day in each direction, and doubling the capacity on the Adelaide–Sydney Route. New aircraft were expected to arrive starting on 4 October 2009.
On 5 November 2009 Tiger Airways announced its intention to launch into the Brisbane market with services to Melbourne, Adelaide, and Rockhampton. Tiger celebrated these routes for A$2 during their Second Birthday sale, along with all Tasmanian routes and the popular Melbourne to Sydney route.
Tiger Australia announced in February 2010 that the airline was now profitable.
Former MD Shelley Roberts departed on 1 June 2010. Her successor was Crawford Rix. "As far as I am concerned, on-time performance is going to be a big area that we will be focusing on," said Rix in a media interview.
On 16 July 2010 Tiger Airways announced its intention to cease flying from Launceston Airport as of 2 August 2010. The Adelaide–Hobart route was also to be suspended. Communications manager Vanessa Regan said the cuts were due to seasonal demand.
On 16 September 2010 Tiger commenced services to Cairns, operating a late night daily service from its Tullamarine base.
On 21 October 2010 Tiger announced that it was adding two Airbus A320 aircraft to the Melbourne base in the new year, bringing its Victorian fleet to a total of ten aircraft, in line with a deal struck with the State government.
Tiger announced on 25 October 2010 its intention of completing the 'golden triangle' by expanding onto the busy Sydney–Brisbane route, offering double daily frequencies.
On 7 March 2012, Tiger Airways announced that it will reopen a second base at Sydney Airport
On 4 September 2012 Tiger Announced they were resuming flights from Melbourne to Adelaide, beginning from 1 November 2012.
On 18 December 2012 Tiger began direct return flights from Mackay to Melbourne and Sydney.
On 6 February 2013 Tiger Airways Australia Announced that they would resume services between Melbourne and Sunshine Coast/Alice Springs, and begin services between Sydney and Cairns/Alice Springs.
On 15 February 2013 Tiger will begin its first intrastate route from Sydney to Coffs Harbour.
Read more about this topic: Tiger Airways Australia
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