Maldives to become more accessible with launch of Tigerair flights

The upmarket beach holiday destination of the Maldives is set to become more affordable after low-cost carrier Tigerair announced that it is launching flights there.

From Jan 24, the budget offshoot of Singapore Airlines will operate four weekly flights between Singapore and Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

Calling it the “perfect holiday destination”, Mr Alexander Knigge, Chief Commercial Officer said Tigerair is “very excited to be the first and only no-frills airline to fly to the Maldives from Singapore”.

Mr Timothy Ross, head of Asia Pacific Transport Research at Credit Suisse, said that being the only low-cost carrier on the route will be an advantage for Tigerair as budget airlines in the region often compete for passengers on the same high-volume routes: “Operating flights to the Maldives will probably stimulate some demand for travel there as it might make the destination a bit more affordable to more people.”

Tigerair added that it sees untapped potential in the Maldives, saying that while it is traditionally known as the beach destination for the well-heeled, it is also becoming extremely popular for honeymooners and corporate executives looking for a place to recharge. “We believe that the demand for flight to the Maldives will only grow in strength as travellers continue to look for alternatives to the usual beach getaways in the region,” a spokesman told TODAY.

Meanwhile, Mr Ross pointed out that there is a risk that Tigerair might steal some passengers away from its parent Singapore Airlines, which also flies to the Maldives.

“When you offer a cheaper way of getting there, then certainly that will appeal to some passengers who are currently flying on SIA, but it’s unlikely that there will be a major impact on the parent airline’s loads.”

Tigerair has been adding flights to other beach holiday destinations this year, such as Langkawi in Malaysia and Kalibo in the Philippines, which is the main airport serving Boracay.

Tigerair is currently offering a one-way promotional fare of S$133 inclusive of taxes to the Maldives.

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