Tigerair introduces low cost travel option
Thursday 8 December: Tigerair Australia celebrated the airline’s first flight between Melbourne and Canberra today, signaling the arrival of a much anticipated low cost option for those travelling to and from the nation’s capital.
Tigerair’s new services are currently the only low cost air travel option available to Canberrans and will also prove timely for Victorians keen for affordable flights to Canberra, as the city becomes an increasingly attractive tourism destination due to its rich mix of art, culture, food, exhibitions and world class events.
The inaugural service between Melbourne and Canberra (TT667) arrived into Canberra Airport at 7.00 pm this evening.
A ceremonial water cannon salute marked the arrival of the first Tigerair flight into Canberra and each passenger onboard the inaugural service received a welcome pack and a toy tiger, courtesy of Canberra Airport, the National Zoo and Aquarium and Visit Canberra.
The Zoo’s tiger mascot was also on hand to greet passengers with a dance, and an invitation to visit the real thing.
Tigerair Australia Commercial Director Adam Rowe says the airline is pleased with early demand for the new services and looks forward to continuing to partner with Canberra Airport and the ACT Government, through Visit Canberra, to stimulate air travel on the new route.
“Tigerair Australia is pleased to have launched the only low-cost services between Melbourne and Canberra earlier today, providing over 2,500 additional visitor seats every week through Melbourne and Canberra Airports.”
“Tigerair Australia has really changed its stripes. With enhanced on time performance and the lowest cancellation rate of all Australian airlines since the beginning of 2015, Tigerair Australia is perfectly placed to stimulate air travel for the Canberra market and we are confident this route will prove particularly popular among our core group of leisure and small business customers.”
“I would like to extend our thanks to Canberra Airport and the ACT Government for their support in making these new services a reality. Tigerair looks forward to further building upon these relationships in the future.”
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the arrival of Tigerair opens up new opportunities to promote the capital to Melbournians and provides people in the Canberra region with a more affordable option of getting to the Victorian capital. He was represented at the arrival gate by Bec Cody MLA.
“Visitors from Victoria will find we’ve got a lot to offer, including major exhibitions – such as the NGA’s new Versailles: Treasures from the Palace and the National Museum of Australia’s A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum – plus our sporting calendar and the capital’s food and wine scene.”
Canberra Airport’s Managing Director, Stephen Byron, echoed Minister Barr’s comments, saying he believed Tigerair’s new services provide a highly attractive option for Victorians to take advantage of the numerous tourism and business opportunities that Canberra has to offer.
Simon Gandy, Chief of Aviation, Melbourne Airport, was also confident that Victorian travellers would embrace the new services to our nation’s capital.
“The millions of travellers passing through T4 at Melbourne Airport show that there is a massive demand for the types of routes serviced by Tigerair, and we’re confident that this route will only add to that demand.”
Tigerair Australia has also recently launched a joint marketing campaign with Visit Canberra to promote the capital region’s many tourism experiences and encourage travellers to visit the Canberra region onboard Tigerair’s new services.
Fares between Canberra and Melbourne are currently available from $30* for travel between 7 February and 29 March as part of Tigerair Australia’s ‘Go the Distance’ sale. The sale ends at 12pm AEDT tomorrow or until fares sell out.
*Fares available until 12pm aedt 09/12/16 or unless sold out prior. Fares are correct as at 7 December 2016 for travel during the stated travel period. Light Fares are per person in AUD and include GST. Payments made with credit or debit cards are subject to a card payment fee of between 0.86% and 1.33% per booking. Payments made with PayPal or interest free will attract a booking and service fee which is detailed at point of purchase. Payments made with POLi do not attract a payment fee. Fares are non-refundable. See below for further terms and conditions.