Tiger Airways Australia Pty Ltd, operating as Tigerair Australia, was an Australian low-cost airline. Founded by Tiger Airways Holdings, it commenced services in the domestic airline market on 23 November 2007 as Tiger Airways Australia. It later became a subsidiary of Virgin Australia Holdings. On 25 March 2020, Tigerair suspended all operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Virgin Australia Holdings going into voluntary administration and later sold, new owner Bain Capital confirmed the brand would be retired.
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 Foreign Investment Review Board gave approval for Tiger Airways Holdings to establish a 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.
Five aircraft and $10 million were committed to start the subsidiary. The airline's business model was based on that of sister airline Tiger Airways in Singapore, which included attempting 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 (CASA) as well as Tiger crew. Tiger received its Air Operator's Certificate on 22 November. The airline projected initial traffic of two 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. The airline managed services out of a single base – Melbourne Airport.
On 31 May 2008 the airline announced that passengers would be charged a fee for checked-in luggage. The fee was $10 (for 15 kg of luggage) at booking or $20 at check-in.
Tiger announced on 3 April 2009 its intention to launch in the Melbourne–Sydney market, the fifth busiest passenger route in the world at the time, 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 $2 during its Second Birthday sale, along with all Tasmanian routes and the popular 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. On 16 September 2010 Tiger commenced services to Cairns, operating a late night daily service from Melbourne. 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 would reopen a second base at Sydney Airport On 4 September 2012 Tiger announced it was resuming flights from Melbourne to Adelaide, beginning from 1 November 2012.
In October 2012, Virgin Australia Holdings announced its intention to purchase 60% of Tiger Airways Australia. The deal was completed in July 2013, after the airline had changed its name to Tigerair Australia.