Tiger Airways applies for landing rights in Manila

SINGAPORE: -- Competition in the airline industry continues to intensify. And it looks like Manila could be the next hotspot.

The latest salvo was fired on Monday by Tiger Airways - the low cost carrier which is 49 percent owned by Singapore Airlines.

Tiger says it has applied for landing rights in Manila and is confident of starting flights by Easter in late March.

Right now, the carrier flies to Bangkok, Hat Yai and Phuket in Thailand.

Tiger is seeking to diversify its geographical base.

Just last week, it announced that it had secured rights to fly to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Rival budget carrier Jetstar Asia has earlier announced plans to fly to Manila.

Currently, the Singapore-Manila route is dominated by Singapore Airlines and Philippine Airlines.

-- CNA 2005-02-08

Right now, the carrier flies to Bangkok, Hat Yai and Phuket in Thailand.

Tiger is also flying Singapore-Chiang Mai and v.v. as of March.