Tiger Air plans April start for Indonesia carrier
Singapore’s low-cost carrier, Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd, will start its Indonesian joint venture PT Mandala Airlines in April and gradually boost its fleet size to 10 new Airbus A320 jets over the year, according to chief executive Chin Yau Seng.
The move will enable Tiger (TAHL.SI), 33 percent owned by Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA.L) (SIAL.SI), to tap one of the world’s fastest-growing air transport markets. Mandala will have the same fleet size as Tiger’s operation in Australia by March 2013.
Tiger completed its acquisition of a 33 percent stake in the troubled Indonesian carrier in January and leased two Airbus A320 planes to Mandala. Last week, the airline successfully reactivated its license and said it will resume flights in April.
Chin said the carrier is scheduled to take delivery of 10 Airbus A320s during the 2012-2013 financial year, of which two will be used to replace aircraft that it will return to the lessor and the remaining eight will go to Mandala.
Source: Reuters
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