11:12a.m. 26th August 2008

Tiger Airways has announced that it will start running daily flights from the Sunshine Coast to Melbourne from December 15.

Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Peter Pallot said the budget airline’s extra flights would increase available seat capacity to over 130,000 annually, a year after commencing on the route with just three flights a week.

“We are delighted with Tiger’s announcement; it’s just what the region needs after having to endure the loss of a number of flights over the past few months due to the incredible increases in the cost of aviation fuel," Mr Pallot said.

"It’s clearly a vote of confidence in our destination, just in time for Christmas travel as you can purchase the flights now for travel after December 15."

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Bob Abbot said Tiger’s introduction of daily flights is a fantastic shot in the arm for the local tourism industry and is great for competition.

"The additional capacity and frequency will put back some of the recent lost capacity, and that’s great news for our Sunshine Coast tourism industry,” Cr Abbot said.

Tiger Airways Australian Managing Director Shelley Roberts said the passion that the people of the Sunshine Coast have displayed in embracing Australia’s true low fare airline has resulted in Tiger Airways expanding its operation to a daily service between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast.

“Now you can get low, low fares every day of the week with Tiger Airways providing over 130,000 seats per year between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast,” Shelley Roberts said.