Budget Airline Launches in Australia

Singaporean-based budget carrier Tiger Airways has announced a $60 (£26) fare from Perth to Melbourne. The airline says the ticket fee will save travellers $258 (£111) on the lowest fare currently available on other airlines. Daily flights are set to start on December 1 with one-way fares of $59.95 (£26) inclusive of taxes and charges. The 3 hour 25 minute Perth-Melbourne flights will be on an Airbus A320, capable of carrying 180 passengers.

“Our customers have told us they want lower fares to popular destinations such as Western Australia, and now Tiger Airways can offer competitive low fares on a sustained basis on our expanding domestic network across the whole of Australia,” Tiger’s chief executive Tony Davis said.

Tiger, part owned by Singapore Airlines, began Perth-Singapore flights in May.

The airline rocked the aviation industry last week by announcing a Melbourne-Gold Coast fare of $49.95 (£21) one-way, with a pledge that its investment was long-term and that further cheap fares would follow. Melbourne-Alice Springs fares will also start at $49.95 (£21)

The airline will operate daily Melbourne-Perth services and a three times weekly Melbourne-Alice Spring service, subject to regulatory approval.