Tiger Airways passenger load up 18% to 6.2mn

While its Australian operations are suspended, the airline’s Singapore arm add services between Singapore and Cebu, and from October 2011 will reintroduce services between Singapore and Bangalore.

From July 2010 to June 2011, a total of 6.2 million passengers chose to fly with Tiger Airways, an increase of 18% over the 5.3 million passengers in the preceding 12 months. Average load factor for the 12-month period to June 2011 was 86%, an increase of 1 percentage point year-on-year, according to a Tiger Airways report.

For the month of June 2011, Tiger Airways carried 555,000 passengers, a 9% increase compared to the same month last year. The average load factor across Asia and Australia for the month was at 86%.

Mr. Chin Yau Seng, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Airways Holdings said, “During the month of June, growth in passenger numbers remained robust for our services to and from Singapore. However, Tiger Airways Australia’s passenger numbers were impacted by the significant disruption to Australian domestic air travel due to volcanic ash from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano.

“Tiger Airways Singapore recently announced the addition of two routes to its network. From September 2011, Tiger Airways Singapore will introduce services between Singapore and Cebu, and from October 2011 will reintroduce services between Singapore and Bangalore following an 11- month absence.

“On 1 July 2011, Tiger Airways Australia’s services were suspended by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (“CASA”). Tiger Airways Australia’s domestic services have been suspended until 1 August 2011 pending the outcome of CASA’s investigations. Tiger Airways Australia continues to work with the industry regulator to resolve the issues and resume flights as soon as possible," said Mr Chin.