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Press Release
Tiger Roars into Hobart
15 January 2008
Visitors to Tasmania and local holidaymakers now have even more choices when it comes to discount flights with the arrival of budget carrier Tiger Airways into Hobart.
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, today welcomed the new service between Hobart and Melbourne.
“As an island holiday destination, the ability to get more visitors here is critical to the ongoing growth and sustainability of our tourism industry,” Ms Wriedt said.
“Today marks another important milestone for aviation in this State – a new flight to Hobart by the nation’s third discount carrier means more choice and flexibility for flyers, and even more opportunities to travel.”
“Hobart is now being serviced by four domestic passenger airlines – Tiger Airways, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Qantas.
“Ten years ago none of us would have imagined that this could be possible,” she said.
“Just last month I launched Tourism 21, the joint government-industry business plan that will help us to make the most of our growth opportunities.”
Ms Wriedt said that at that time she announced Tasmania’s tourism industry was on the threshold of achieving two historic milestones - one million visitors in a single year and $2.2 billion in total visitor expenditure.
“How soon this is achieved is largely dependent on air and sea carriers continuing to grow their services,” she said.
“In line with its low-cost carrier business model, Tiger Airways guarantees year round low prices to all its destinations. This provides new opportunities for Tasmania in our existing markets as well as the new locations being serviced by Tiger.
“In the same way that Tourism 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.
“We have seen dramatically improved visitor access to Tasmania, and this demonstrates the importance of the Tasmanian Government’s partnerships with the major airlines. These partnerships are resulting in more flights, and at the right price.”
Tiger Airways’ Tasmanian flight arrived in Launceston from Melbourne on Thursday 29 November.
The airline has started business on its Australian routes with five A320 aircrafts. In time it is expected to boost its domestic fleet to 50, all of which will operate from its Melbourne (Tullamarine) base.