Tiger Airways are part owned by the private investment firm of Ryan Airs Tony Ryan. Ryan Air went from operating a few Bandits to bigger than British Airways. BA withdrew services to the Irish Republic because it couldn't compete.
Major shareholders include Singapore Airlines and Temasek (Singapore government investment arm). These people are not known for being reckless with their money.
Tiger Airways losses are 10% of those of Jetstar Asia and in line with start up expectations. J*Asia cancelled 80 flights due to lack of crew from poor planning, they knew how many were returning to Qantas and when they were going, Tiger cancelled 14 flights during the same period many due to cyclones. J*Asia missed out on lucrative routes to China by first flying to Taiwan and then being surprised when the mainland Chinese were offended.
Qantas started an airline in Singapore complying with local ownership requirements, Tiger start an airline in Australia also complying with local ownership requirements. Fair enough.
Brett Godfrey wasn't too concerned about the investment Ansett had made in Australia when he started, and didn't he concentrate on the golden SYD-MEL-BNE triangle to begin with. Now that Virgin has slipped comfortably into void left by Ansett he seems keen to maintain the duopoly he was so against. If Virgin are keen on operating services from Singapore they can set up a local operation complying with ownership requirements, and take advantage of open skies between ASEAN nations starting next year.
There is an open skies agreement between Australia and Singapore, QF can start a service from Singapore to Los Angeles if they want in competition with SIA. Whilst having a population of only 4.5 million Singapore is a major transit hub. QF are scared of losing their first and business class passengers to SIA if forced to compete on the Pacific. SIA are a premium airline in the process of a major cabin upgrade and will be increasing fares 10-20%, leaving the backpackers to QF and United.
I can't see Tiger on the Pacific run, doesn't fit with their low cost model. SYD-MEL does however, third busiest air route in the world after Madrid - Barcelona, and Sao Paulo - Rio de Janero.
Remember the days of the $30 SYD-MEL airfares ? Looks like they're coming back.