Singapore-based TigerAir is seeking a commercial tie-up with Indian budget carriers and is in talks for the same with SpiceJet and IndiGo. The carrier, however, has ruled out buying an equity stake for now, according to reports in foreign media.
?With the tie-up, we will boost our network in India and at the same time carry more Indian travelers to our Asian destinations,? TigerAir?s Singapore chief Ho Yuen Sang was quoted as saying in The Straits Times. The low-cost carrier has a similar tie-up with Singapore Airlines? low-cost arm Scoot and offers baggage transfers for passengers with connecting flights.
The plan is to offer the same in India, said Ho. Eventually, TigerAir and its Indian partner may market tickets together, and plan their schedules so that passengers do not have to wait too long between flights. The agreement with an Indian airline could have greater scope than a codeshare agreement.
Ho said that while talks are on with multiple carriers, they will narrow down to one. ?It?s hard to say when the deal will be sealed but we want to keep just one partner otherwise it becomes complicated,? he said.
However, after its annual general meeting last week, TigerAir?s chairman JY Pillay had ruled out investment in India for now despite saying that there is still room for another budget carrier to enter the Indian market after AirAsia?s entry.
?We have our hands full with TigerAir Mandala and Tiger Air Philippines,? Pillay had said after the annual general meeting.