Tigerair to Take Off Earlier-than-Expected in Late September

Tigerair Taiwan, low-cost carrier (LCC) established by Taiwan's China Airlines Ltd. and Singapore's Tiger Airways, announced its maiden flight to take off from Taiwan to Singapore in late September, earlier than scheduled, to be the island's first LCC.

The LCC has just entered the fourth certification phase involving flight operation and airplane maintenance, and will receive its first airplane in early September.

Given that China Airlines and Tiger Airways are headquartered in Taiwan and Singapore, respectively, insiders say that it makes sense for Tigerair to begin flying between the two countries, despite many international airlines as China Airlines, EVA Airways, Singapore Airlines as well as LLCs including Jetstar and Flyscoot are flying the same busy route, along which average passenger load factor exceeds 80% and even reaches 90% during high seasons.

With China Airlines holding 90% stake and Tigerair the remainder, Tigerair boasts plentiful resources from the Taiwanese airline, coupled with ample experience in low-cost flights by the LCC, Tigerair is expected to gain altitude quickly in the competitive segment.

The other Taiwanese LCC, V Air, fully owned by Transasia Airways Corp. and under preparation, may fail to take off in September as expected, primarily due to  certification work falling behind schedule since the deadly crash of a plane of its parent in mid-July. (SC)