Tiger Airways’ passenger volume drops 3% to 5.7m in 2011

As the average load factor for the low cost carrier was 4% lower year-on-year.

From February 2011 to January 2012, a total of 5.7 million passengers chose to fly with Tiger Airways, a decrease of 3% compared to the number of passengers in the preceding 12 months, according to a company statement. Average load factor for the 12-month period to January 2012 was 82%, down 4 percentage points compared to the previous 12 months.

For the month of January 2012, Tiger Airways carried 466,000 passengers, a 14% decrease compared to the same month last year. The average load factor across Asia and Australia for the month was 75%, down from 84% in January 2011.

Load factors for Tiger Airways Singapore and Tiger Airways Australia were lower year-on-year.

Tiger Airways Singapore increased capacity by 46% in January 2012 compared to January 2011, which included new services to the Philippines (Cebu and Davao) and India (Bangalore). A new four times weekly service between Singapore and Dhaka, Bangladesh will be introduced from 9 March 2012.

Tiger Airways Australia operated at reduced capacity and on a limited schedule in January 2012 relative to January 2011, resulting in a decline in passenger numbers.

In January 2012, Tiger Airways Australia received approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia to increase the number of daily sectors that it can operate from 32 daily sectors to 38 daily sectors.