New return services between Melbourne and Sunshine Coast have launched

Fares on sale from just $49.95*

Tiger Airways Australia touches down at Sunshine Coast airport, to receive a warm welcome from local tourism and airport partners as the airline marks the commencement of regular weekly return services on the popular route.

Tiger Airways is celebrating the launch of four weekly return services between Melbourne and Sunshine Coast. From June 2013, these services will increase to seven weekly return services (or one daily return service), providing up to 2520 additional visitor seats weekly through Sunshine Coast Airport.

Tiger Airways Australia Head of Communications, Vanessa Regan, says the new services are already proving popular with consumers, with strong Easter sales indicating high demand for the Sunshine route.

"We're thrilled to put the Sunshine Coast back on Tiger's map just in time for Easter - one of the busiest times of year for air travel. While many of our Easter weekend flights have filled fast, there are always great deals available with Tiger if you plan ahead and book early.

"Tiger's consistently great value airfares stimulate demand for air travel in Australia and grow the market - essentially it's a win-win for tourism, the local economy and for the consumer.

"In fact, as of midday (AEST) today, Tiger Airways is putting all nine Queensland routes on sale to help celebrate Tiger's expansion of Queensland services with fares between Sunshine Coast and Melbourne available from under $50* each way," said Ms Regan.

Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey, said the additional services would help meet demand from Victorians wanting to holiday on the Sunshine Coast.

"Victoria is a key interstate market for the region, with more than 40 per cent of interstate holiday visitors to the Sunshine Coast hailing from the Garden State, according to the latest National Visitor Survey," Ms Stuckey said.

"The new Tiger Airways' flights are perfectly timed to deliver a boost for the region in the build-up to the Easter holiday period."

Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson said the first Tiger flight will be warmly welcomed at Sunshine Coast Airport today.

"The Coast has always been a favourite holiday spot for Victorians at Easter - just like the rest of the year," he said.

Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager, Peter Pallot said "It's great to see the Tiger Airways brand returning to our skies and airport. Given that local tourism figures are recovering rapidly, the timing of Tiger's return is perfect."

In further growth related news for the airline, Tiger Airways is gearing up to commence new services next month:

-                                   Between Sydney and Cairns (commencing 04 April 2013)

-                                   Between Melbourne and Alice Springs (commencing 09 April 2013)

-                                   Between Sydney and Alice Springs (commencing 09 April 2013)

Key facts:

-          Four weekly return services between Melbourne and Sunshine Coast commence from 27th March 2013 and are on sale from today (midday AEST) from just $49.95* each way.  

-          From June 2013, services will increase to seven weekly return services (or one daily return service) between Melbourne and Sunshine Coast.

-          Flights generally depart Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) at 8:10 am or 9:05 am, arrive in Sunshine Coast at 9:25am or 10:20am, returning from Sunshine Coast at 9:55am or 10:50am to arrive in Melbourne 1:20pm or at 2:15 pm.

-          These new services will provide up to 2520 additional visitor seats weekly through Sunshine Coast airport.

-          Tiger Airways Australia currently employs more than 350 people in various roles including cabin crew, pilots, management and through maintenance and ground handling partnerships.

-          Around 20 new jobs will be created at Sunshine Coast Airport in ground handling roles to facilitate the new services.

-          Tiger Airways Australia currently has 11 A320 aircraft deployed in Australia.

-          Tiger Airways currently has 16 popular domestic routes on sale. Sunshine Coast is the 10th destination that Tiger Airways flies to from Melbourne.

-          Further developments from Tiger Airways Australia to be announced in due course.

*RAW FARE CONDITIONS: Tiger "Raw" domestic fares are the lowest available single price fare from Tiger Airways Australia with hand luggage only and are fully inclusive of all taxes and charges. Tiger "Raw" domestic fares must be purchased on line using a MasterCard debit card issued by an Australian financial institution. The Tiger "Raw" domestic fare does not incur the $8.50 booking fee for credit card purchases (per flight, per sector). Fare is for travel one-way, hand luggage only. Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable except as provided in the Conditions of Carriage. Promotions may be modified or cancelled without prior notice. Refer to www.tigerairways.com for more information. Tiger Airways Australia Pty Limited ABN 52 124 369 006.


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