Singapore-based no-frills carrier Tiger Airways says it is planning to launch a domestic Australian airline to compete with Qantas and Virgin Blue. According to news reports, CEO Tony Davis says the airline has lodged applications with Australian regulators and had received a positive reception from government officials during a series of meetings in Canberra.

“I think they can see that additional air services, particularly at the affordable fares that Tiger will bring to the market, will help stimulate tourism, both domestic and international, and obviously there are economic benefits from increased competition,” Davis told ABC radio

Davis said Tiger was ready to operate as soon as it received the necessary approvals from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

“We expect to start services sometime later this year ...and we’ve got five new Airbus A320s ready to bring into Australia as soon as we complete that process.”
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