Tiger Airways Australia reinstates its popular Melbourne-Cairns flight and opens a new service to Mackay in North Queensland.
MELBOURNE- Tiger Airways Australia recently announced two big wins for North Queensland with new direct services between Melbourne and Mackay commencing from mid-December. In more good news for the top end, the airline today also confirms an extension of return services between Melbourne and Cairns through the summer season, due to popular demand. The route will be served four times weekly.
“We’ve had a tremendous response from all around Australia on our online voting poll which has been running for the past five weeks,” said Tiger Airways Australia CEO Andrew David.
“However the most overwhelming demand has been for Tiger’s return to Mackay, currently in the top spot as the most voted for destination. As an airline that evolves based on demand, we’re thrilled to be confirming our return to the region with four weekly return services providing over 1400 seats weekly through Mackay airport,” said Tiger Airways Australia CEO Andrew David.
“Mackay is among Australia’s fastest growing regions, it is a key tourism destination in its own right and a fantastic gateway to the Whitsundays. We have also witnessed a strong demand for great value fares year round from the fly in, fly out (mining) sector. As the only low fare operator providing direct services, we’re confident that our new regular services between Melbourne and Mackay will prove popular.”
Mackay Airport General Manager, Rob Porter, welcomes the return of Tiger to Mackay on the popular Melbourne route. “These flights open up new possibilities for holidays and business trips for the local community, and offer more travel options for fly-in fly-out workers in the Central Queensland resources sector.” Mr Porter said. “The new services also offer people from Victoria the opportunity to experience the natural tropical beauty of Mackay and the Whitsundays and the many other tourism attractions on offer in the region. Thanks to everyone who let Tiger know we wanted them back by registering their online vote for Mackay.”
Meanwhile Cairns and Mackay Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, welcomes the extension of the Cairns – Melbourne service as a further signal of Tiger’s confidence in the region.”We look forward to working with Tiger to ensure all these services are a great success.”
Mr. David reiterated that the airline intends to unveil further network expansion plans soon as Tiger Airways Australia continues to ramp up domestic services.
“We would like to thank everyone who has already voted for their favourite destination for Tiger to fly to next. The support has been very encouraging and we will be reviewing the viability of services to all the top rated destinations from the online voting poll which will conclude some-time this month.”
As Tiger’s momentum continues, the airline is celebrating another milestone this week when its 9 millionth Australian domestic passenger will be flown.
Tiger Airways Australia was recently awarded by some of the world’s leading low cost carrier specialists with “best airline comeback in the face of adversity” at the 9th Annual Terrapinn “World Low Cost Airlines Congress” in London.
Tiger Airways currently has 10 domestic routes on sale (including the new Melbourne – Mackay services). Further network developments will soon be announced as Tiger continues to grow services in Australia.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
