Tiger Airways inks 3-yr deal with Changi Airport

Agreement will help grow traffic through Changi as airline plans adding 2 aircraft by March 2011.

Tiger Airways Singapore has signed an agreement with Changi Airport Group to grow its base at Changi Airport for three years, from January 2010 to December 2012, according to a Tiger Airways report.

The deal spells out mutually beneficial terms for Tiger Airways to carry even more passengers through Changi Airport, strengthening its position as the leading low fare carrier in Singapore. With this deal in place, the airline plans to further expand its fleet and routes out of Changi Airport.

Rosalynn Tay, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore, said, "Since we started operations in 2004, Tiger Airways has forged a successful partnership with Changi Airport. In 5 years, we have grown to become Singapore's biggest low fare carrier. In the process, we have helped boost the growth of passenger volumes through Changi Airport, even during the H1N1 period when other airlines were cutting flights. From April 2009 to March 2010, the Tiger Airways group carried 4.9 million passengers, an increase of 54% over the previous year. We achieved this while reducing controllable costs by 15.1%, and our average passenger fares by 22.2%. We are proud to have played a key role in Changi Airport's bids to stay on top, and in developing Singapore as a low fare carrier hub.

"Having secured a deal for our continued commitment in the next three years, we look forward to growing our Singapore base. From now till March 2011, we will grow our fleet of 10 aircraft to at least 12, expand our pawprints to more destinations within Asia-Pacific, and grow our team here in Singapore proportionately. We also look forward to even more operational and cost efficiencies when we carry more passengers through Changi's Budget Terminal, and offering our low, low fares to even more passengers."

Yam Kum Weng, Executive Vice President (Air Hub Development), Changi Airport Group, said, "Since Tiger Airways commenced services in 2004, it has grown tremendously and is now one of Changi's top carriers by passenger carriage. Our partnership will see Tiger continuing to grow its traffic at Changi Airport supported by the Budget Terminal's facilities and the Changi Airport Growth Initiative. We look forward to Tiger's continued growth at Changi Airport, which will enhance Singapore's connectivity and attractiveness as an air hub."

To celebrate this deal, Tiger Airways is offering 25,000 seats at S$0.01 plus taxes to Haikou, Macau, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Penang, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket.

"We are pleased to celebrate the deal with our customers with genuine low fares. No matter what another airline offers, our 1 cent promotion is still cheaper," said Rosalynn Tay.

Tiger Airways currently serves 21 destinations in Asia-Pacific from Singapore, with a fleet of 10 aircraft. It accounts for the majority of flights at the Budget Terminal. It is also Singapore's biggest low fare carrier, flying the greatest capacity in and out of the country.