SOUTH East Asian Airlines (SEAir) today kicked off the first service under its new identity, Tigerair Philippines.
The Kalibo-Singapore flight departs Kalibo daily at 08.00 and leaves Singapore at 12.25, until September when Singapore-bound flights take off from Kalibo at 10.00.
The service targets Singapore’s beachgoing travellers, according to Olive Ramos, general manager, Tigerair Philippines. The aircraft also has fewer seats to increase legroom space, ideal for European passengers flying into Singapore.
Ramos also disclosed: “We want to start a Manila-Phuket (flight), and now we’re also applying for Manila-Macau.”
Tigerair continues to operate SEAir’s previous routes.
Tigerair completed its 40 per cent acquisition of SEAir last August, the maximum allowable share of foreign ownership in any Philippine joint venture company.
“The purpose of that was to transform SEAir Inc into an LCC,” said Ramos. The newly-branded carrier follows the LCC model of quick turnaround, single-model aircraft efficiency and no-frills operations, and the carrier would benefit from Tigerair’s strong brand equity in the region, she noted.
Meanwhile, SEAir International operates independently from Tigerair Philippines, running only charter flights. Its president and CEO, Avelino Zapanta, said a detailed operating plan was still in the works.
