Singapore’s low cost carrier Tiger Airways yesterday began flights from Dhaka.
The airline will connect with Singapore by operating four flights a week, with plans to carry business and leisure travellers by offering low fares, airline officials said in a programme.
“Tiger Airways’ new flight is timely as there is an increasing demand for direct low-cost flights to Dhaka,” Dave Perring, commercial director of the eight-year-old carrier, said at the inauguration ceremony at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan was also present.
Tiger Airways will be the third option for travellers on the Dhaka-Singapore route after Biman and Singapore Airlines. In a bid to attract travellers, the airline, partly owned by Singapore Airlines, offers promotional fares starting at $110 on the one-way route.
The offer will remain valid for travels from March 15 to January 31, 2013.
Travellers will be able to book flights online and through sales agents of Novo Air, General Sales Agent of Tiger Airways in Bangladesh.
Industry insiders said Tiger’s entry into Bangladesh will mean greater competition for state-owned carrier Biman.
This is the second budget carrier from Southeast Asia after Malaysia-based Air Asia opened flights from Dhaka to tap the prospect of growing air travels between Dhaka, Singapore and beyond.
Air Asia that flew on the Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route suspended operations in July last year.
The commercial director of Tiger Airways said Bangladesh, with its steady economic progress, represents a huge potential market for airlines. “Dhaka has become an important economic and political hub in the region,” Perring said.
Tiger Airways said its service would increase the number of Southeast Asian visitors travelling to Dhaka and also give Bangladeshis greater opportunities to travel to Singapore and the rest of Asia at low costs.
“This connection will allow many Bangladeshis residing in Singapore to travel back home at affordable fares,” said Perring.
The 32-fleet carrier operates on 33 destinations across 13 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific from Singapore and Australia.
Aviation Minister Faruk Khan said Tiger’s entry will provide increased connectivity between the two countries.
-With The Daily Star input
