Tiger and REX bring out the axe

[PoppaJo]

Significant cuts from both really shows how fragile the market is at the moment.

Rex looking at chopping routes from Melbourne while Tiger dropped the axe quite hard on its network.

Tiger cuts from today
Avalon-Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast. Down to 2 flights daily to perth and sydney, CEO raised point of extra Sydney flights to 3 daily, they couldn't even manage two so he is talking spin again

Tiger cuts from August
Mackay gone
Rockhampton gone
Sydney-Brisbane gone
Sydney-Sunshine coast gone

REX looking at chopping Tullamarine to King Island, Merimbula and Griffith.

Story here Tiger Airways cuts more services | Herald Sun

[GAFA]

REX are also looking at cutting Bathurst, Taree, Grafton and Moruya.

[wheels_down]

Press release from Tiger.

TIGER TO FOCUS ON SIMPLIFYING ROUTE NETWORK AND RESTORING RELIABILITY

Tiger Airways today announces a number of network changes that will simplify its Australian flying programme. These changes will enable the airline to focus on restoring the punctuality of its operation.
As a consequence, two routes the airline currently flies from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) will be suspended from 01 August 2011. These are the Melbourne - Mackay and Melbourne - Rockhampton routes. In addition, the Brisbane - Sydney and Sydney - Sunshine Coast routes will also be suspended from the same date. Affected passengers on these routes will be contacted and provided with a full refund.
“These network changes will both streamline and simplify our Australian operations, enabling us to focus on combining our low fares with improved punctuality,” says Crawford Rix, CEO, Tiger Airways Australia.
The airline’s flights to Mackay and Rockhampton have in recent months been adversely affected by rising oil prices and the recent Queensland natural disasters. In addition, as the airline does not currently have a crew base in New South Wales or Queensland, operating punctual flights between Brisbane – Sydney and Sydney – Sunshine Coast has proved more challenging than anticipated.
“We know that our customers expect an on-time flight as well as a great fare from Tiger Airways. The changes that we are making to our flying programme will enable as to improve punctuality across our network and we are hopeful that as we grow the airline we will be able to restore services on the affected routes in the near future” said Mr Rix
Tiger Airways will continue to operate 14 routes across Australia, spanning every state and territory. Tiger Airways is focused on becoming Australia’s most affordable, reliable and popular airline.

[Slasher]

Tiger Airways is focused on becoming Australia’s most affordable, reliable and popular airline.

Ha ha harrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Those Tiger airways marketing clowns down there always crack me up. They really do!

[B772]

I wonder if passengers who have paid for tickets on cancelled services can expect a wait of up to 12 months for a refund - Disgraceful.

[Skystar320]

I wonder if they are kicking themselves for getting rid of the Metro 23;s

[Skystar320]

Then there is Air Link that had 19 seater B1900D's

[apache]

..... enter "REXSTAR"... aka PEL-AIR, with Cadets doing ICUS, as it will be classified as a "charter'.

[bankrunner]

Some of those routes have come and gone so many times over the last 50 years with Air NSW/Hazelton/Rex it's not funny.

[KRUSTY 34]

Good point bankrunner.

One of REX's advantages is it's low debt/equity ratio. It doesn't have to carry marginal routes just because it needs the cash flow, unlike some of our previous employers eh!

There's a couple of factors in play here. Brinkmanship WRT the EBA is probably not one of them, but a looming crewing shortage most certainly is! REX have just promoted their last remaining DEC F/O's, so once again the shortage of experience is going to bite. Because of this alone REX will again have to cut services, so they're probably just priming the pump. It's also a bit rich for them to cry poor, seeing they have over $100 mil in cash reserves!

One thing's for sure, you won't see too many crews shedding tears over the loss of Grafton, Moruya, and the like. As usual the travelling public will be the ones to pay for REX's opposition to retaining experienced pilots.

[Low and Fast]

It's been said before Krusty
There is plenty of suitable DE F/O's out there which would love the opportunity to work for Rex BUT unfortunately the cadets seem to have taken priority during the last few years, a great band aid effect one could say.

[mcgrath50]

Krusty,

Does that mean pretty much all F/Os at the moment are cadets?

Last time I was flying around that part of the world there was a Rex flight that I'm fairly sure was Merimbula to Moruya flying up the coast at 2,000ft(ish). Is this normal? Must be awesome for the pax but surely burns a lot of fuel!

[tourismman]

Pelair have 2 pax metros based in BNE VH-KDO and VH-KEX they operate mainly recource fifo charters.
Only 1 B1900 left and that is VH-RUE as RUI was sold to the USA earlier this year.The B1900 of Airlink operates FIFO and is based in either DBO or BNE..

[Worrals in the wilds]

These changes will enable the airline to focus on restoring the punctuality of its operation.

I didn't know Tiger ever had "punctuality of its operation".

operating punctual flights between Brisbane – Sydney and Sydney – Sunshine Coast has proved more challenging than anticipated.

I'll say. I don't know why they bother even publishing a schedule. It would be more honest to take the old Flight West in the Channel Country approach and just say to pax 'when ya hear the aircraft overhead, come on over to the airport'.

If you can't make a go of a Sydney BrizVegas flight you've got issues, particularly if you're price competitive. It's the second busiest route in the country.

[Jack Ranga]

L

ast time I was flying around that part of the world there was a Rex flight that I'm fairly sure was Merimbula to Moruya flying up the coast at 2,000ft(ish). Is this normal? Must be awesome for the pax but surely burns a lot of fuel!

Can't speak about the fuel issue but they do it every now and again, I would think it's great PR to tell the pax you are going low for their scenic enjoyment

[Darwinism]

"If you can't make a go of a Sydney BrizVegas flight you've got issues, particularly if you're price competitive. It's the second busiest route in the country."

And the one with the airports with the most inefficient traffic "management" at each end....

[bankrunner]

mcgrath50, the CT7 in the Saab is basically a helicopter engine. I have no performance figures handy but apparently its fuel burn at low altitude is pretty good.

With the ultra short hops REX often do on the Saab, where they seem to rarely get much above 9000, I suspect this helps a fair bit.

[Jack Ranga]

Can't imagine the Chief Pilot and the like would be impressed.

Bull**** (bull****)

[Stiff Under Carriage]

Jack,

So are you saying they would be impressed?

[mcgrath50]

Stiff, they were coastal, in VMC. maybe it was 3,000 or 4,000? anyway lower than normally expected for a plane of that size!