Tigerair, Scoot deepen cooperation

Singapore

THE number of passengers connecting between flights of Scoot and Tigerair Singapore has doubled since both budget carriers were granted anti-trust immunity by the Competition Commission of Singapore in August last year.

Scoot, which is owned by Singapore Airlines (SIA), is a medium- to long-haul budget carrier. Tigerair, which is owned by SIA subsidiary Tiger Airways Holdings, mainly operates short-haul budget flights.

Through this partnership, the carriers have been able to offer customers more competitive airfares, coordinated joint promotions and new itineraries only available by combining routes of both airlines.

But they are en route to further collaboration, Scoot and Tigerair said. Since January this year, both have been offering two routes flown in parallel - Singapore to Hong Kong and Bangkok - to offer more schedule choices.

From February, Scoot will increase the frequency of its Singapore-Perth route and offer daily flights as Tigerair redeploys its aircraft to other markets. Both carriers are also working towards allowing the seamless booking of each other's flights on their respective websites. Other areas of partnership the two carriers are exploring include common ground handling, procurement and service centres.

Scoot's CEO, Campbell Wilson, said there are many opportunities in the partnership. "Though some initiatives will take more time, it's great to see significant early benefits such as the rise in connecting passenger volumes," he said.

Tiger Airways' CEO Lee Lik Hsin said: "The upcoming rollout of joint-venture routes, deeper system integration and schedule coordination will further strengthen both partners and, most importantly, provide greater convenience and flight options to our guests."

On Wednesday, shares of SIA and Tiger Airways closed at S$12.46 and S$0.26 respectively.