Singapore budget carrier Tiger Airways will not be able to fly until at least next week after a court hearing into an extension of its flying ban was postponed for the fourth time this morning.

The hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday 3 August 2011, but the matter has now been adjourned to Friday 5 August 2011. The suspension continues while the matter is adjourned and the five-week grounding has cost the airline about $10 million so far.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority applied to the Federal Court on 7 July to continue the suspension of Tiger Airways in order to complete its investigations of serious safety issues identified within the airline’s operations. 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.

A number of conditions must be met before CASA can be satisfied it is safe to allow Tiger to resume operations.

CASA said in a statement, “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.

“If and when that occurs, CASA would withdraw its application to the Federal Court.”

The Singapore airline said this today’s move for a hearing adjournment to Friday was "by consent" between the parties.

"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," it said.