Tiger Air: Crouching No More, Ready to Soar
CASA Lifts Tiger Airline Suspension
Finally, Singaporean budget airline Tiger Airways has been given the clearance by Australia's aviation authorities to fly again.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia has lifted the suspension of Tiger Airways Australia, effective from Wednesday 10 August 2011.
As a result of the investigation and consistent with previous actions taken by CASA, a new set of conditions has been imposed on Tiger Airways as specified at its air operator’s certificate. This certificate covers pilot training and proficiency, pilot rostering and fatigue management, currency and revision of operational manuals and related documents, improved change-management processes and the appointment of additional qualified personnel in key positions, and amendments to the airline’s safety management system.
CASA said Tiger Airways Australia was required to demonstrate it had complied with the necessary safety requirements before it was permitted to resume operations. These requirements included additional simulator and ground training for Tiger’s pilots.
CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, said Tiger had demonstrated to CASA it can comply with the conditions on its air operator’s certificate and meet the necessary safety requirements.
“On that basis, CASA now believes allowing Tiger Airways Australia to resume operations is acceptable,” Mr McCormick said.
However, the sectors Tiger Airways can fly are initially limited to a maximum of 18 a day within the period of August 2011. The intention to increase operations after the month of August will be subject to CASA approval.
CASA suspended the air operator’s certificate of Tiger Airways Australia on 2 July 2011. Over the past six weeks, the suspension had cost the Singapore-owned carrier nearly $12 million, in addition to $13.7 million in forgone ticket sales and refunds, and $1.4 in lost ancillary revenues.