On This Date In 2004, Tiger Airways Took Flight For The First Time
Remember Tiger Airways? Twenty years ago today (15 Sep) the budget carrier backed by Singapore Airlines, roared onto the scene with its inaugural flight to Bangkok.
The first flight
At 1:15 pm, Flight TR108 – an Airbus A320 with a pouncing tiger painted near the cockpit, took off from Changi Airport with about 160 passengers on board. Among them were 50 lucky passengers who scored tickets for just $1 in a jaw-dropping promotion.
Tiger Airways wasn’t just about cheap flights; it was part of a budget airline boom in Southeast Asia. Joining the likes of Malaysia’s AirAsia, Valuair, and Thailand’s Nok Air, Tiger Airways entered a competitive market that was all about no-frills travel at rock-bottom prices.
The original Tiger Airways logo. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
A new era of budget travel
Tiger Airways made headlines for more than just cheap flights. It was the first airline to operate out of Changi’s Budget Terminal.
The airline was all about efficiency, with the goal of keeping flights within a five-hour radius of Singapore. And if you were on board, you’d get to experience Tigerbites, where you could grab light meals like instant noodles and sandwiches, along with hot drinks and even liquor. And while there wasn’t any in-flight entertainment system, passengers could flip through the in-flight magazine, Tiger Tales.
The rebranded Tigerair. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Growing and expanding
By 2006, Tiger Airways had flown 1.2 million passengers, a 75% increase from the previous year. It was also the first Singaporean low-cost carrier to fly to cities in China, receiving operating permits for Haikou, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
But like all good things, the airline evolved. Tiger Airways would be rebranded as "Tigerair" in Jul 2013, and its leaping tiger logo removed.
Then In 2016, its parent company, Singapore Airlines, announced a merger between Tigerair and Scoot, creating a bigger budget airline. By 2017, Tigerair officially became part of the Scoot brand, combining the strengths of both carriers.
The brand still lives on today as Tigerair Taiwan. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Before its merger, Tigerair flew to 38 destinations, giving countless passengers the chance to travel on a budget. While we may no longer see that iconic tiger at Changi Airport, the airline’s spirit lives on through Scoot – still making it possible for us to enjoy our annual Japan trip without breaking the bank.
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