To add on to the low morale:
Wednesday December 10, 2:15 PM
CAAS confirms talks ongoing with budget carrier Tiger Airways
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SINGAPORE : The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has confirmed that it is holding preliminary confidential talks with Tiger Airways, the no-frills carrier to be launched by Singapore Airlines next year.
To operate as a Singapore-based carrier, CAAS says the airline will first have to apply for an Air Operator Certificate.
Thereafter, it will have to apply for air traffic rights from the Air Traffic Rights Committee.
CAAS says Singapore has always welcomed all carriers to operate to and from the country, as this will enhance the republic's position as an air hub.
Tiger Airways - the product of a four-party venture - was announced by SIA on Tuesday.
It is expected to start flight operations in the second half of 2004, although details on destinations and ticket prices have yet to be revealed.
SIA's partners in the joint venture will be Ryanair founder Tony Ryan's Irelandia Investments, the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings, and US private investors Indigo Partners.
SIA's entry into the budget airline industry will certainly raise the stakes following other carriers' expressed intention to operate from the country.
ValuAir, Singapore's first budget airline, plans to begin operations in the second quarter of 2004, while Malaysia-based AirAsia will soon ferry passengers to and from regional destinations via the Senai airport in Johor Bahru.
AirAsia also wants to secure landing rights in Singapore but its attempts have yet to be successful. There is also no decision on which airport - Changi or Seletar - AirAsia would use as its base. - CNA