Tiger Airways, Singapore's fast growing low-fare carrier has placed an order for eight more Airbus A320s. Tiger Airways currently operates a fleet of seven A320s, with the latest order bringing the airline's backlog of deliveries to 13 aircraft. The A320s will be deployed on the airline's regional network that currently extends to 15 cities in seven countries. Tiger Airways' A320s will be configured in a 180-seater all economy configuration and be powered by IAE V2500 engines.

The latest A320 order by Tiger Airways serves to highlight the outstanding popularity that the A320 Family has enjoyed with both established and start up low-cost carriers in the Asia - Pacific region over the past few years. Low-cost carriers in Australia, China, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore have ordered more than 300 A320 Family aircraft during the past three years. Almost 560 A320 Family aircraft are already in service with more than 40 airlines across the region.

"Tiger Airways has seen tremendous growth in the past year, with passenger numbers increasing in the first six months of this financial year by 70%. Consumers across Asia are asking for more and more affordable flights and these additional new aircraft will enable Tiger Airways to respond positively to these demands," said Tony Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Tiger Airways.

"This significant order for additional aircraft represents a strong endorsement of our pure low fare, low cost business model which is used by other successful low fare airlines such as Ryanair. We would like to acknowledge the support of our many customers who have supported us by flying Tiger Airways as their first choice of low fare airline," added Mr Davis.

"I am delighted that Tiger Airways' experience with the A320 over the past two years has resulted in this commitment to expand the fleet. I am confident that the aircraft's superb economics and high passenger appeal will significantly contribute to Tiger Airways' continuing successful growth across the region," said Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, Louis Gallois.

With almost 50 million flight hours to date, more than 4,400 aircraft ordered and 2,800 delivered to some 180 operators, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 make up the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. Designed to optimise revenue through cabin adaptability and passenger comfort and featuring the most modern and complete fly-by-wire technology available on any single-aisle aircraft, they ensure savings in every element of direct operating cost and provide operators with the highest degree of operational commonality and economy for aircraft in the 100-220 seat category.

The A320 Family's optimised cabin cross-section - the widest single-aisle fuselage on the market - sets new standards for passenger cabin flexibility in this segment. It allows for top-of-the-range comfort with wider seats and aisles, or an extra-wide aisle for the fast turnarounds that are essential in the low-cost markets. Furthermore, the superior cabin size and shape allow larger overhead stowage to be fitted for faster boarding and deplaning as well as greater convenience.

Airbus is an EADS company.

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