Tiger Airways set to return to skies next week
Tiger Airways appeared to be inching toward a return to the skies next week as a federal court appearance in Australia was cancelled for the fourth time.
Tiger has been in negotiations with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) since its licence to fly was suspended over “imminent” safety concerns on July 1st.
The airline now hopes to satisfy CASA imposed safety conditions by the end of the working week – returning to the skies as early as Monday.
In a statement just issued, the CASA said the airline “has responded positively” to its demands.
“CASA’s investigations have been completed and a set of proposed conditions to be imposed on Tiger Airway’s air operator’s certificate have been served on the airline,” added a statement.
“A number of conditions must be met before CASA can be satisfied it is safe to allow Tiger to resume operations.
“Tiger Airways has responded positively and has been providing CASA with the evidence necessary to demonstrate how it will meet the conditions.
“Once Tiger Airways has submitted, and CASA has verified, all of the documentation required, CASA will be in a position to decide whether to lift Tiger’s suspension.
The five-week grounding has cost the airline about $10 million so far, as well as costing its local chief executive, Crawford Rix, his job.
“Tiger Airways Australia and CASA are currently in ongoing discussions regarding the suspension and see no utility in having a hearing today whilst these discussions continue,” Tiger said in a statement.