Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fleet

[futaris]

Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fleet - Low Cost Airline News

Tiger Airways announced plans to add two leased A319s to its Australian operation in 2008, as it prepares to launch services to more under-served regional destinations across the country.
The airline will also add its fifth A320 to its fleet in April, which, along with the A319s will grow total seating capacity by 65% this year.

...

The lighter A319s, configured with 144 seats, will enable Tiger to operate to more destinations where runway lengths do not permit A320 operations.

CEO, Tony Davis, stated “regional destinations like Tamworth have seen the cost of airfares increase dramatically in recent years and their citizens are desperate for the low cost revolution to arrive.

Tiger Airways plans to announce the location of its planned second Australian base within three months, as part of plans to have five bases across the country within seven years. Trans-Tasman services to New Zealand are also “on the radar” according to Mr Davis.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

There alot of speculation that OOL will be their 2nd hub.

I've heard OOL-ASP/AYQ/CNS/DRW are all possibilities (perhaps this is why QF is increasing BNE-ASP to thrice weekly with a new WED service).

It's disappointing that they continually whinge about landing charges at Brisbane. BNE's fees are only marginally greater than MEL's and much less than ADL's.

Their loss anyway

Here's another article:

Source

Singapore-based budget carrier Tiger Airways is contemplating a trans-Tasman service to take on existing players, as it moves to beef up its regional services within Australia.

Chief executive Tony Davis said that services from Australia to New Zealand were "on the radar".

Mr Davis told the Australian Aviation Press Club on Thursday that Tiger would take delivery of two A319 aircraft towards the end of the year as it prepared to launch more services to regional destinations in Australia.

Continues...

 

[stuartfaz]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Singapore-based budget carrier Tiger Airways is contemplating a trans-Tasman service to take on existing players, as it moves to beef up its regional services within Australia.

Chief executive Tony Davis said that services from Australia to New Zealand were "on the radar".

Mr Davis told the Australian Aviation Press Club on Thursday that Tiger would take delivery of two A319 aircraft towards the end of the year as it prepared to launch more services to regional destinations in Australia.http://news.theage.com.au/tiger-airways-eyes-tasman-route/20080306-1xgl.html

I have long wondered as to the reason why New Zealand appears on Tiger's route map, when there's no real reason for it to be there.

I'd expect a pawprint on CHC or AKL pretty soon.

Theres a lot of speculation that OOL will be their 2nd hub.

Unless they add another major destination like SYD, OOL looks almost certain to be their next hub. NTL or even ADL would be outside chances.

 

[NM]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

I have long wondered as to the reason why New Zealand appears on Tiger's route map, when there's no real reason for it to be there.

probably the same reason it exists on any map .... as there is never any reason for it to be there .

 

[imapringle]

My personal opinion is that the A319 ist he perfect choice, for Tiger anyway. I have noticed on my tens of flights with tiger, load factor is remaining around 100-140. so i think it will be more profitable for them.

Also Just In- "TIGER Airways is about to open a new front in the airline wars by introducing Airbus A319 aircraft to take on Virgin Blue and QantasLink in regional areas. "

Jetstar will not be as concerned with this move, but Virgin is the one that wants the monopoly of these routes in the future. I think Virgin is a bigger threat of Tiger than Jetstar Also good to see Tiger looking at Bankstown. Sydney would be a decent move for Tiger, and i think this is a good option.

In fact, we will be asking our customers in regional Australia to vote online next week for their preferred destinations,"
I like the way that they do this, will be interesting to see what is chosen.
In terms of their next hub, was talking to some Aerocare people at OOL, and they were just saying that this is Tigers most popular route etc etc..My Feeling for the next hub is the following:
HUB-OOL
ROUTES- OOL-ADL, OOL-CNS, OOL-NTL, OOL-DWN, OOL, increased OOL to MEL

What are your thoughts people, i must say this is great news for regional markets!

 

[moa999]

Mind you interesting strategy as a startup LCC going onto the second type already

 

[NM]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Mind you interesting strategy as a startup LCC going onto the second type already

Its no different to DJ starting with a mix of 737-300 and 737-400 before they finally went to NG versions. Tech crew, cabin crew, and most maintenance procedures will be no different between A319 and A320. So I would think it will have little impact on operational efficiency.

 

[BiziBB]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Its no different to DJ starting with a mix of 737-300 and 737-400 before they finally went to NG versions. Tech crew, cabin crew, and most maintenance procedures will be no different between A319 and A320. So I would think it will have little impact on operational efficiency.

Wht approvals and building work would be required, at a minimum, for TR to fly from Bankstown (BWU)?

 

[NM]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Wht approvals and building work would be required, at a minimum, for TR to fly from Bankstown (BWU)?

I very much doubt that would be an option the authorities would consider even if they were planning to use A318s.

 

[stuartfaz]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

probably the same reason it exists on any map .... as there is never any reason for it to be there .

Hahaha well played NM.

My personal opinion is that the A319 ist he perfect choice, for Tiger anyway. I have noticed on my tens of flights with tiger, load factor is remaining around 100-140. so i think it will be more profitable for them.

Also Just In- "TIGER Airways is about to open a new front in the airline wars by introducing Airbus A319 aircraft to take on Virgin Blue and QantasLink in regional areas. "

Jetstar will not be as concerned with this move, but Virgin is the one that wants the monopoly of these routes in the future. I think Virgin is a bigger threat of Tiger than Jetstar Also good to see Tiger looking at Bankstown. Sydney would be a decent move for Tiger, and i think this is a good option.

In fact, we will be asking our customers in regional Australia to vote online next week for their preferred destinations,"
I like the way that they do this, will be interesting to see what is chosen.
In terms of their next hub, was talking to some Aerocare people at OOL, and they were just saying that this is Tigers most popular route etc etc..My Feeling for the next hub is the following:
HUB-OOL
ROUTES- OOL-ADL, OOL-CNS, OOL-NTL, OOL-DWN, OOL, increased OOL to MEL

What are your thoughts people, i must say this is great news for regional markets!

Given their limited current regional reach, I don't think DJ will be as concerned with the news as you indicate. Right now they have only added 2 'regional' routes (ABX and PQQ) both of which are operated out of SYD, where TT offer no competition.

TT have indicated that TMW is a possibility for the A319s, which, out of their MEL hub, would be a route DJ would be unlikely to match. They would be much more inclined to operate a TMW service out of SYD, competing with QFLink.

Destinations like Tamworth have seen the cost of airfares increase and their citizens are desperate for the low-cost revolution to arrive. The cheapest one-way ticket to Tamworth from Melbourne for travel tomorrow currently costs $356 on Qantas - with a compulsory stop-off in Sydney

Now that's as big a hint as any.

However, should TT start flights to places such as MQL, which QFLink operate and DJ has no doubt been considering, then we could see a bit of competition.

So far, though, neither QF nor DJ have been inclined to compete directly with TT, so I wouldn't expect that to change. I don't think DJ would take a possible TT prescence into too much consideration when planning new routes, and I doubt they'd be hampered should TT beat it to any particular route.

TT, like all 'pure' LCC's, thrive primarily on introducing new customers to air travel , rather than taking them from the established players. I think the focus on regional routes will be very successful in this respect for them.

Also good to see Tiger looking at Bankstown. Sydney would be a decent move for Tiger, and i think this is a good option.

BWU is probably TT's best option for a prescence in Sydney. They don't seem to be in any rush to get into SYD unless the price is right, and SACL aren't in any rush to make the price right. However, works to get BWU up to scratch for the A319/320s would apparently take up to 18 months, so don't wait up.

Mind you interesting strategy as a startup LCC going onto the second type already

The A319s and the A320s are almost identical, aren't they? It is interesting, them doing it this early, but I think it'll work pretty well for them.

 

[stuartfaz]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Wht approvals and building work would be required, at a minimum, for TR to fly from Bankstown (BWU)?

I very much doubt that would be an option the authorities would consider even if they were planning to use A318s.

According to The SMH, it could take up to 18 months.

Bankstown Airport expressed enthusiasm for Tiger's A319 order. "It will be a great aircraft for Bankstown," said an airport spokeswoman, Meredith Laverty. "We're excited about it."
She added that it would be a great opportunity for western Sydney to have regular passenger traffic. Airbus held discussions with the airport last year on the suitability of the jet.
But Ms Laverty said it could be 18 months before Bankstown could handle domestic airlines such as Tiger, because it needed to upgrade its taxiways, runways and other infrastructure.

But it's not without some community backlash:

Bankstown Airport could face stiff local opposition to plans to extend its runway for Tiger, even though Airbus says the A319 is a quiet plane given its steep landing angle.
There are at least three schools, two preschools and an aged-care centre near the airport which could be affected by increased aircraft noise that would result from the proposal.
"The noise level could be an issue," the chief executive of Bankstown City Aged Care, Terry Madden, said. "We'd need to know what acoustic level these planes are going to have and therefore what noise levels are going to be created."
A Bankstown councillor, Allan Winterbottom, said there would be considerable local opposition if it was to go ahead.
"The problem is that there's no curfew. We could have these planes flying over at all hours."

So don't lock it in just yet. But if TT can do it, then it's a pretty good option for them.

 

[pauly7]

Tiger Airways has already held talks with the airport's private management, while Virgin Blue and QantasLink were also negotiating with the airport's owners.


I was really suprised (and happy) to see this story hit the front page of the hard copy SMH this week. Apparantly QF are well advanced in talks with Bankstown (for QF Link) and since DJ have brought in their small aircraft are on the hunt as well. I imagine both these aircraft types could land at Bankstown already on the existing runway (? wait for a technical person to jump in!)

It will be really positive if they can move some of the LCC (Virgin/Jetstar??) and QF Link services out of SYD - put some pressure on Mac Bank but also allow QF (&DJ) especially the flexibility to add more trunk routes - more flights, more competition!

 

[stuartfaz]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Tiger Airways has already held talks with the airport's private management, while Virgin Blue and QantasLink were also negotiating with the airport's owners.


I was really suprised (and happy) to see this story hit the front page of the hard copy SMH this week. Apparantly QF are well advanced in talks with Bankstown (for QF Link) and since DJ have brought in their small aircraft are on the hunt as well. I imagine both these aircraft types could land at Bankstown already on the existing runway (? wait for a technical person to jump in!)

It will be really positive if they can move some of the LCC (Virgin/Jetstar??) and QF Link services out of SYD - put some pressure on Mac Bank but also allow QF (&DJ) especially the flexibility to add more trunk routes - more flights, more competition!

The Minister for Transport has said its not going to happen, apparently.

...the concept "won't fly", Mr Albanese said. "It's an inappropriate site and there are a whole range of practical issues of where it is in a densely populated suburb." He added: "There are issues of flight path confusion as it is quite close aeronautically to Sydney Airport."

Someone should've told BWU that...

The airport says that issue has never been raised by officials before. "Air space regulation is governed by the office of air space management within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority," said an airport spokeswoman, Meredith Laverty. "[Flight path confusion] has not been raised with us before to the best of my knowledge."
Ms Laverty said the airport had approval for 12 passenger flights a day...

It'd be good to see BWU become an option for the smaller jets flying into Sydney. TT with the A319s and DJ with the ERJs would benefit especially (although I don't think DJ would be too eager to move all ERJ flights away from SYD eg. SYD-CBR)

Hopefully BWU management, the airlines and the government can get something sorted out.

 

[JohnK]

BWU is probably TT's best option for a prescence in Sydney. They don't seem to be in any rush to get into SYD unless the price is right, and SACL aren't in any rush to make the price right. However, works to get BWU up to scratch for the A319/320s would apparently take up to 18 months, so don't wait up.

I am not certain that this type of move is going to benefit passengers. Yes TT may offer cheap flights but BWU is not close to public transport. So unless you live very close to BWU whatever saving you get from the airfare you will make up for in taxi fares.

I live roughly the same distance from SYD and BWU. From my place SYD international is ~$22 taxi fare, SYD domestic is ~$30 taxi fare and BWU is ~$30 taxi fare maybe more.

It will be really positive if they can move some of the LCC (Virgin/Jetstar??) and QF Link services out of SYD - put some pressure on Mac Bank but also allow QF (&DJ) especially the flexibility to add more trunk routes - more flights, more competition!

I can picture the looks on peoples faces who travel to NSW regional areas from interstate.

If people think the transfer from SYD domestic to international can be difficult then the SYD-BWU transfer is going to be torture especially if you have just come off an overnight international flight. Unless they provide a regular bus service or new direct train link the only feasible option would be a taxi ride along the M5 with the fare >$50 for a one way trip + airport surcharge + M5 toll.

 

[serfty]

Didn't stop the use of AVV.

-Cr@p public transport
-Lengthy/costly transit MEL/AVV

etc etc. etc. .

 

[JohnK]

Didn't stop the use of AVV.

Yes but hopefully sanity will prevail with the decision on the use of BWU....

 

[DownUnderFlyer]

Yes but hopefully sanity will prevail with the decision on the use of BWU....

Yeah, but was is sanity. Is it to you one of the bussiest airport in the southern hemisphere in the middle of residential areas as a LCC airport? Certainly not.

Or is it to have some competition in Sydney so the MacAirport monopoly is broken and everyone benefits. Certainly yes.

In any case, Bankstown is not going to happen any time soon.

 

[straitman]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

To me it's just a crazy idea.

I can't imagine operating 737 size jets out of BWU. At least AVV is out in the sticks, which in itself causes a whole host of other issues.

 

[moa999]

Re: Tiger Airways expanding Australian capacity by 65% in 2008. Two A319s to join fle

Start building the train line to Richmond now.
Start thinking about the airport in 5 yrs

 

[JohnK]

Yeah, but was is sanity.

Sanity to me is being able to travel CBR-SYD-TMW or MEL-SYD-NAA and connecting from the same terminal or at worst another terminal at the same airport.

It would be insane if my only option for the connecting flight was the LCC airport 25kms away.