Page 6 - AAA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 Online Magazine

NEWS

Industry News and Updates

Tiger seeks to
break duopoly
After a year on the ground, Tiger
Australia says its fleet is back in the
game. CEO Andrew David stated that
Tiger would have three A320s operating
Tiger completes acquisition of 40% stake in SEAir from Sydney by October, and that the
company’s priority is to get their aircraft
Tiger Airways has announced the with our Philippine business partners, back in the air, rather than on turning a
completion of the transaction to acquire our immediate focus will be on scaling up profit. According to David, Tiger Airways
a 40% stake in SEAir for US$2.5 million. the business through network expansion, aims to compete against Jetstar and
The company has stated that SEAir will building a strong customer base, and Virgin Australia on even footing. “It’s
adopt Tiger’s business model, including establishing the airline’s brand presence. been a struggle for any airline to make
offering value fares to destinations within The Philippines has tremendous growth it as the third carrier in this country. But
five hours flight of the Philippines. Tiger potential and we welcome the opportunity we’ve gone from being the worst on-time
Group CEO Koay Peng Yen said, “Together to be at the heart of it.” performing airline in the country to the
best for 10 months in a row,” he said.

Avation Plc receives HK CAD adopts UFA’s
first ATR 72-600 ATVoice techonology
Avation has received the first several ATR UFA, a provider of air traffic simulation Etihad to buy more of
72-600 aircraft meant for the Asia-Pacific and voice technologies, has announced
region, as part of a deal with Skywest the successful delivery and acceptance Virgin Australia
Airlines and Virgin Australia. Aside from testing of its ATVoice Voice Recognition The Australian government has given
nine firm orders for ATR 72-600s that and Response system to the Hong Kong its approval for Etihad Airways to
will be operated on Australian regional Civil Aviation Department (HK CAD), increase its equity stake in Virgin
routes, the company also has options for part of an update to the ATTower Tower Australia Holdings to 10%. As of July,
another eight. Jeff Chatfield, Avation’s Simulator at HKIA. According to UFA, the Etihad had less than 5% stake in
Chairman and Founding Director said, system’s voice recognition capabilities Virgin Australia. According to some
“This is the first of a series of ATR 72- are supposed to allow air traffic reports, the partnership between the
600s we are buying. The acquisition controllers to control traffic around two companies has already delivered
is in line with our strategy to own and a simulated airport using prescribed significant revenues to each, and
maintain a fleet aircraft which are of a phraseology, reportedly improving Etihad’s increased stake is expected to
low age and very fuel efficient.” access to and quality of training. result in more opportunities.

6 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM