Monday 29 October 2007

TIGER AIRWAYS FLYING TO HOBART FROM JANUARY
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, welcomed today’s announcement by the low-cost carrier Tiger Airways that it would introduce daily flights to Hobart from 15 January 2008.

“Tiger’s launch fares for flights between Hobart and Melbourne will be just $9.95, including taxes and charges,” Ms Wriedt said.

“This is fantastic news for Tasmanians and visitors alike.”

The inaugural Hobart flight will follow just a month and a half after Tiger makes its first flight between Launceston and Melbourne, on 29 November this year.

“Low fares and increased competition have the potential to extend Tasmania’s high tourism season, with all the benefits that brings,” said Ms Wriedt.

“As history has shown with other low-cost air carriers, it’s fully expected that the introduction of Tiger Airways’ services to Tasmania will generate renewed interest in travel to the State.

“In line with low-cost carrier business models, Tiger Airways guarantees year round low prices across all its destinations.

“This provides a substantial opportunity for Tasmania in not only our existing markets, but also in the new locations from which they will run services.

“In the same way that Tasmania works with all its air and sea carriers, this is just the start of what we hope will be a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with Tiger Airways.

“Importantly, we have not ruled out the potential to further develop Tasmania’s international route connections with the carrier, whose parent already services Asia.”

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au