Damon Mcknight
Tiger Airways, later rebranded as Tigerair, was originally a private airline based in Singapore. It expanded to several other countries, including Australia, where it became Virgin Australia's low-cost airline. Tigerair Australia offered domestic flights across the country, connecting major cities and tourist hotspots. However, it faced challenges, including customer service issues, safety concerns, and strong competition from Jetstar. Ultimately, Tigerair ceased operations in Australia due to financial losses and was shut down by Virgin Australia in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its demise, Tigerair Taiwan continues to operate, maintaining a strong presence in the Taiwanese market as the primary low-cost airline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Status | Ceased operations in 2020 |
| Headquarters | Singapore |
| Destinations | Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, and other Australian cities and tourist hotspots |
| Connections | Does not offer connecting flights; all flights are point-to-point |
| Flight Changes | Permitted up to two hours before domestic flight departure, subject to a change fee and fare difference |
| Name Changes | Permitted up to two hours before domestic flight departure, subject to a change fee and fare difference |
| Luggage | Rules regarding cabin baggage allowance and check-in luggage fees |
| Refunds | Permitted under certain circumstances in accordance with Australian Consumer Law; AUD $50.00 administration fee per passenger per sector for tax refunds |
| Standby and Waitlist | Does not operate a standby or waitlist policy |
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What You'll Learn
Tigerair Australia ceased flying in 2020
Tiger Airways, later rebranded as Tigerair, was originally a private airline based in Singapore. The ultra-low-cost carrier had a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 jets, which it used to fly short and medium-haul routes from Singapore. The airline's first route was from Singapore to Bangkok.
Over the years, Tigerair expanded into several other countries, including Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Tigerair Australia became Virgin Australia's low-cost airline in 2014, when Virgin bought the Australian Tigerair subsidiary. However, Tigerair Australia struggled to compete with Jetstar, which dominates the low-cost airline space in Australia.
Tigerair Australia ceased all flight operations on 25 March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virgin Australia permanently shut down the budget airline, and Tigerair no longer exists in Australia.
Today, Tigerair Taiwan is the only offshoot of Tiger Airways still in operation. It operates as a low-cost airline based in Taipei and Kaohsiung, primarily flying to destinations in Japan and South Korea.
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Tigerair Australia was a low-cost airline
Tigerair Australia was known for its low-cost flights, with fares as low as $40 one-way for domestic flights within Australia. The airline offered a network connecting some of Australia's largest cities and tourist hotspots. However, it struggled to compete with other low-cost airlines in the Australian market, such as Jetstar.
Tigerair's parent company, Singapore Airlines, sold its Australian subsidiary to Virgin Australia in 2014 for a symbolic price of $1. Despite this, the purchase also involved taking on a significant amount of debt. Tigerair Australia continued to operate as a budget airline until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it ceased flying. Virgin Australia ultimately shut down the airline in 2020.
Tigerair's fare conditions included allowing customers to change flight dates, times, and routes up to two hours before a domestic flight's departure time, subject to a change fee and any applicable fare difference. The airline also offered the option to add checked baggage, in-flight meals, and entertainment to the base airfare for an additional fee. However, customers often complained about unexpected extra fees and poor customer service.
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Tigerair Australia struggled to compete with Jetstar
Tigerair Australia, a low-cost airline based in Singapore, struggled to compete with Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas. Jetstar dominated the low-cost airline market in Australia, leaving little room for Tigerair to establish itself.
Tigerair Australia faced an uphill battle from the start, with Jetstar already firmly entrenched in the market. Just days before Tiger Airways Australia's launch, Jetstar offered a highly competitive promotion, selling 5,000 seats for five cents each, inclusive of taxes, on seven domestic routes. While Jetstar denied that this sale was in response to Tiger Airways' entry, it set the tone for the challenging environment Tigerair would navigate.
Tigerair did have some advantages, such as offering "single-digit" one-way fares and achieving better on-time departure and arrival statistics than Jetstar in certain years. However, Jetstar's strong brand and aggressive pricing strategies, such as their promise to "double the difference of any competitor's fare that is cheaper than its own," made it difficult for Tigerair to gain a foothold.
Tigerair's struggles were further compounded by operational issues. In 2007, Qantas denied ground handling services to Tiger Airways at Alice Springs Airport, resulting in a three-month delay in their launch to the city. Additionally, Tigerair's flying operations faced setbacks when Australia's aviation safety regulator, CASA, grounded Tiger Airways Australia. These incidents, coupled with intense competition, contributed to Tigerair's chronic loss-making and eventual discontinuation in 2020.
Despite its challenges, Tigerair left an impact on the Australian aviation market. Its arrival prompted competitors like Virgin Australia to consider establishing a low-cost offshoot, and airports like Melbourne Airport to cut usage fees to attract low-cost carriers. While Tigerair ultimately couldn't compete with Jetstar, its presence influenced the landscape of budget air travel in Australia.
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Tigerair Australia was known for poor customer service
Tigerair Australia, Virgin Australia's low-cost airline, was known for its poor customer service. The airline struggled to compete with Jetstar, which dominates the low-cost airline market in Australia. Tigerair Australia has since ceased operations, shutting down in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customers of Tigerair Australia frequently complained about issues with the airline's customer service. One common issue was a lack of assistance with re-booking or compensation for costs incurred due to flight cancellations or delays. For example, some customers reported that their flights were cancelled or delayed due to weather conditions, but they were not offered adequate alternative arrangements or compensation for any resulting expenses, such as hotel bookings. In some cases, customers were forced to purchase new flights with other airlines at their own expense.
Another issue that Tigerair Australia passengers often faced was problems with the online check-in system. Several customers reported receiving confirmation of their online check-in, only to be told at the airport that there was an error and they were not checked in. This resulted in passengers missing their flights and having to make alternative arrangements at their own cost. The airline refused to take responsibility or provide compensation for these system errors, even when they admitted that the issue was on their end.
In addition to these issues, customers also complained about rude and unhelpful staff, a lack of public announcements or updates during delays, and excessive fees for baggage. Many passengers expressed disappointment and frustration with their experiences, stating that they would not use Tigerair Australia again.
Despite the negative reviews, it is worth noting that there were also some positive testimonials from customers who had pleasant experiences with the ground staff and flight attendants. However, the majority of feedback highlights the poor customer service that Tigerair Australia was known for.
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Tigerair Australia flights were often delayed
One notable incident occurred in June 2018 when a Tigerair Australia flight between Sydney and Melbourne was delayed by six hours. The delay caused significant frustration and disappointment among passengers, with some engaging in unruly behaviour. The police had to be called in to manage the situation as people were yelling and throwing rubbish. According to a passenger on the flight, the departure time kept being pushed back, and the way the situation was handled was described as "beyond disgusting and embarrassing."
Tigerair Australia's struggles were not limited to this isolated incident. In January 2019, the airline faced a pilot strike after failed negotiations with the Australian Federation of Air Pilots Union over a new wage deal. As a result, about 15 Tigerair flights were cancelled or delayed, affecting at least 2,500 passengers. The airline did not operate any flights between 5 and 9 am on the day of the strike and worked to minimise disruptions by moving some passengers to Virgin Australia flights.
While Tigerair Australia resumed operations after the strike, it faced chronic losses and financial challenges. Ultimately, the airline ceased flying at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Virgin Australia permanently shut down Tigerair in 2020. Despite its demise, Tigerair's presence in the Australian market had an impact, and a new low-cost entrant, Bonza, has since emerged with a different strategy, focusing on regional routes without direct competition.
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Frequently asked questions
Tiger Airways, later rebranded as Tigerair, was originally a private airline based in Singapore. Tigerair Australia had a network connecting some of Australia's largest cities and tourist hotspots throughout the country. The airline offered cheap fares and direct flights across the country. However, Tigerair Australia ceased flying at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and was permanently shut down by Virgin Australia in 2020.
Reviews of Tigerair Australia were mixed. While some travellers appreciated the cheap fares, others complained about delays, cancellations, and lack of legroom. There were also reports of hidden fees and issues with customer service.
Yes, Bonza is a new low-cost airline that has emerged in Australia since the demise of Tigerair. Bonza targets regional routes with no direct competition, rather than competing directly with major airlines like Jetstar.
