Tiger Air PH keen on flying to Japan, Korea

MANILA, Philippines – Tiger Airways Philippines wants to join local airlines keen on mounting flights to lucrative North Asia routes, particularly Japan and South Korea.

This as the country’s 4th biggest local airline (formerly South East Asian Airlines or SEAir) announced the delivery of 3 new Airbus aircraft this 2013.

“We want to mount daily flights to Japan… out of Manila and Cebu. In fact, we are going to Japan next week to participate in the air talks there. If possible we want to be granted unlimited seats to Japan,” Tiger Air president Olive Ramos said in an interview Tuesday, September 3.

The airline would be asking for a seat entitlement of 4,000-5,000 from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), which is part of the Philippine Air Consultation Panel in air talks with Japan on September 11 to 13.

Tiger Air is eyeing routes to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka in Japan.

Aside from Japan, the airline is applying for seat entitlements for Incheon and Busan in Korea.

Local budget carriers Cebu Pacific, PAL Express and AirAsia Philippines have also expressed interest in mounting flights to these North Asian destinations, which are considered growth areas among aviation players in Asia.

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The airline’s fleet is currently composed of two A319s and 3 A320s that will be expanded to 25 aircraft in the next 3 to 5 years.

“The new aircraft will be purchased on a lease agreement and will be funded through internally generated funds. We are preparing for our new destinations,” Ramos said.

Tiger Airways currently flies to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong as well as local destinations including Clark, Laoag, Bacolod, Kalibo, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban, and Puerto Princesa via its hubs in Clark and Terminal 4 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). – Rappler.com