[Scott Loveday]

Tiger axes flights to Darwin
31st July 2008, 20:48 WST

Budget airline Tiger Airways has axed its services to Darwin from Melbourne and Singapore, blaming high fuel and operating costs in Darwin for the decision.

Services to Darwin will be suspended from October 26, Tiger chief operating officer Steve Burns says.

The costs of flying to Darwin were the highest of all the airports the airline served, he said in a statement.

"This is an important point to stress: combined airport and fuel costs in Darwin cost more than any of the 27 airports that the airline serves across Australia and Asia. It is just incompatible for a true low-fare airline to operate to such a high cost destination," he said.

The airline might re-establish services to Darwin "if costs become more reasonable", he said.

Flights booked prior to October 26 will go ahead.

No Australian domestic flights have been booked to Darwin beyond that date.

Tiger will offer a full refund to international passengers booked after October 26, he said.

-The West