Tigerair
Singaporean low-cost airline that was integrated into Scoot in 2017.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Tigerair was a Singaporean low-cost airline established in 2003 and based at Singapore Changi Airport. It was created to serve short- and medium-haul regional markets with a low-fare operating model, single-class Airbus aircraft, ancillary sales and a network generally focused within about five hours of Singapore. The airline began selling tickets in August 2004 and launched scheduled services to Bangkok on 15 September 2004. The carrier expanded rapidly across Southeast Asia and then into southern China, India, Bangladesh and other Asia-Pacific markets. It became the first airline to operate from Changi Airport's Budget Terminal when that facility opened in 2006, an arrangement that supported its cost-conscious operating structure. Its early network included destinations such as Macau, Krabi, Manila-Clark, Shenzhen, Haikou, Guangzhou, Perth and other regional cities. Tigerair also sometimes restored or opened routes that had been discontinued by Singapore Airlines or SilkAir, including Macau and Krabi. Tigerair's corporate structure developed alongside its network. Its original shareholders included Singapore Airlines, Indigo Partners, Irelandia Investments and Temasek Holdings. Tiger Airways Holdings was formed in 2007 to oversee the Singapore operation and its Australian subsidiary, and the holding company completed a Singapore Exchange listing in 2010. Singapore Airlines increased its ownership to a majority stake in 2014 and later made an offer for the remaining publicly held shares. The acquisition led to the delisting and full integration of Tigerair into the Singapore Airlines Group's budget-airline structure. The airline operated under a conventional low-cost-carrier proposition: basic fares, optional paid services and a largely unbundled passenger experience. Its Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft used a single economy cabin, while food, drinks and other onboard items were sold separately through the Tigerbites programme. The carrier also published the Tiger Tales inflight magazine. Fleet growth plans included large Airbus A320 orders and later commitments for A320neo aircraft, although excess capacity led to the subleasing of aircraft to IndiGo in 2014. In 2016, Singapore Airlines announced that Tigerair and Scoot would be combined to create a more integrated budget-airline platform. Tigerair officially merged with Scoot on 25 July 2017 and ceased operating as a separate Singaporean airline brand, while its air operator's certificate and operational capabilities were brought into the Scoot structure. Scoot adopted Tigerair's IATA code, TR, and changed its ICAO code as part of the integration. Related joint-venture brands, including Tigerair Australia and Tigerair Taiwan, were not automatically dissolved by the Singapore merger. Tigerair Taiwan subsequently purchased ownership of the Tigerair brand in January 2022, but this did not revive Tigerair Singapore as an independent carrier.
History
Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd was incorporated in Singapore on 12 December 2003 as an independent low-cost airline. Ticket sales began on 31 August 2004, and the first scheduled service operated from Singapore to Bangkok on 15 September 2004. The airline was headquartered in Singapore and used Changi Airport as its main base. Its founding shareholder group included Singapore Airlines, Indigo Partners, Irelandia Investments and Temasek Holdings, combining strategic airline backing with specialist aviation and investment participation. Tigerair's initial strategy was to offer low fares on regional international routes while maintaining a relatively simple fleet and service proposition. It focused on destinations reachable within roughly five hours of Singapore, primarily in Southeast Asia, but progressively added markets in southern China, India, Bangladesh, Taiwan and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline's early expansion included Macau, Krabi and Manila-Clark. Some route decisions complemented the broader Singapore Airlines Group network: Tigerair took over or restored services where Singapore Airlines or SilkAir had withdrawn from particular destinations. The carrier became an important participant in Changi's development of budget aviation. In March 2006 it became the first airline to use Changi's Budget Terminal. The terminal arrangement was intended to support lower operating costs, and Tigerair also changed ground-handling providers at that time. The airline reported strong early growth, carrying more than 500,000 passengers during its first year and later recording 1.2 million passengers in 2006. It expanded to southern Chinese cities including Shenzhen, Haikou and Guangzhou, and continued adding routes despite high fuel prices and intense competition among regional airlines. Tiger Airways Holdings was established in 2007 to manage the Singapore airline and its Australian subsidiary, later known as Tigerair Australia. The holding company listed on the Singapore Exchange in 2010. Network and fleet expansion continued through the late 2000s and early 2010s, including service to Perth and route experiments in India and other markets. Some routes were suspended and later restored; for example, Bangalore service was withdrawn in 2010 and resumed in 2011. In 2014, Tigerair announced a substantial Airbus A320neo commitment and also subleased aircraft to IndiGo to address excess capacity. Singapore Airlines increased its stake in Tiger Airways Holdings to 56 percent in October 2014. In 2015 it announced an offer to acquire the remaining shares, ultimately moving the business toward full ownership and delisting. The restructuring reflected Singapore Airlines' effort to organize its budget operations more effectively while addressing Tigerair's financial and operational challenges in a highly competitive regional market. In November 2016, Singapore Airlines announced that Tigerair would be combined with Scoot. The objective was to consolidate budget-airline resources, simplify the group structure and generate synergies in fares, revenue management, operations and network planning. The merger took effect on 25 July 2017. Tigerair's Singapore operation ceased to function as a separately branded airline and operated under the Scoot brand. Scoot adopted Tigerair's TR airline code and changed its ICAO designator during the integration. Tigerair Australia and Tigerair Taiwan remained separate associated brands at that point, reflecting their different ownership structures. On 13 January 2022, Tigerair Taiwan acquired ownership of the Tigerair trademark and brand, further separating brand ownership from the defunct Singapore operating airline.
- 2022
Tigerair Taiwan acquires brand ownership
[1]Tigerair Taiwan acquired ownership of the Tigerair brand.
- 2017
Tigerair merges into Scoot
[1]The Singapore operation was integrated into Scoot on 25 July and no longer operated as a separate brand.
- 2016
Tigerair joins Value Alliance
[1]The airline joined a multinational low-cost-carrier alliance.
- 2014
Singapore Airlines becomes majority owner
[1]Singapore Airlines increased its holding in Tiger Airways Holdings to 56 percent.
- 2010
Parent company lists on the Singapore Exchange
[1]Tiger Airways Holdings became a publicly traded Singapore company.
- 2007
Tiger Airways Holdings is established
[1]A holding company was formed to manage the Singapore airline and its Australian subsidiary.
- 2006
Budget Terminal operations begin
[1]Tigerair became the first airline to operate from Changi Airport's Budget Terminal.
- 2004
Scheduled operations begin
[1]Ticket sales began in August and the first scheduled route, Singapore–Bangkok, launched in September.
- 2003
Tiger Airways Singapore is incorporated
[1]Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd was incorporated in Singapore on 12 December.
Products and positioning
Value-focused, low-cost regional airline offering unbundled fares and dense Asia-Pacific connectivity from Singapore.
Low-cost airline services · 2004
Regional passenger flights
Tigerair's core offering was scheduled international passenger transportation from Singapore Changi Airport. The airline concentrated on short- and medium-haul Asia-Pacific routes and used a low-fare, unbundled model. Its network covered Southeast Asia and expanded to destinations in China, India, Bangladesh and other regional markets. At the time of its integration with Scoot, the Singapore operation served 38 destinations.
Aircraft-based travel product · 2004
Airbus A319 and A320 service
The Singapore airline operated an all-Airbus narrow-body fleet at the time of its merger. Aircraft were configured with a single economy cabin, with the A319 carrying approximately 144 seats and the A320 approximately 180 seats according to the referenced account. Standard seating had a relatively tight low-cost pitch, with additional space available in exit rows.
Ancillary onboard service
Tigerbites
Tigerbites was Tigerair's buy-on-board food and beverage programme. Passengers could purchase light meals such as instant noodles, sandwiches and salads, together with hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages. The programme supported the carrier's low base-fare model by keeping catering optional rather than including it in the ticket price.
Inflight media
Tiger Tales
Tiger Tales was the airline's complimentary inflight magazine, issued on a bi-monthly basis. It formed part of the passenger experience alongside the airline's paid onboard catering and single-class cabin product.
Controversies
2011
CASA suspends Tigerair Australia operations
The Australian aviation regulator grounded the airline after a series of operational and safety concerns.
2011
Safety incidents and CASA suspension
Several operational events, including altitude deviations and a traffic-separation incident, led CASA to suspend Tigerair Australia’s operations in July 2011. The regulator’s intervention prompted scrutiny of pilot training, maintenance and operational controls before the carrier was permitted to resume flying.
Brand decisions
2016
Merger with ScootM&ABackground
Singapore Airlines controlled both Tigerair and Scoot and sought a more unified budget-airline platform.
Action taken
Singapore Airlines announced that Tigerair and Scoot would be combined, with the businesses operating under the Scoot brand.
Aftermath
The integration was completed on 25 July 2017. Tigerair's Singapore operation ceased as a separate branded airline, while its operating certificate and airline code were incorporated into Scoot's structure.
2014
Commitment to Airbus A320neo aircraftGeneration changeBackground
Tigerair was planning fleet renewal and expansion across its Asia-Pacific network.
Action taken
The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 37 A320neo aircraft, with 13 additional options.
Aftermath
The same year, Tigerair also announced that 12 aircraft would be subleased to IndiGo to reduce excess capacity.
2006
Adoption of Changi Budget TerminalStrategyBackground
Tigerair sought to maintain a cost-efficient operating structure while expanding its Singapore network.
Action taken
It became the first airline to operate from Changi Airport's Budget Terminal and changed its ground-handling arrangement in connection with the move.
Aftermath
The airline reported strong passenger growth after moving to the terminal and continued expanding its regional network.
Recent events
Tiger Air launches 40% off Valentine's Day sale[3]
Reported:
Tiger Air announced a Valentine's Day sale offering 40 per cent off, with discounts available until Tuesday; Sydney–Gold Coast flights were advertised from $41 one-way.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Sources3 sources
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