Tiger adds Mackay, will continue services to Cairns

A file image of a Tiger A320. (Paul Sadler) — Tiger will link Melbourne with Mackay. (Paul Sadler)

Tiger Airways will fly from Melbourne to Mackey starting in December as the budget carrier also extends its Melbourne-Cairns services through the summer season.

The four times weekly Mackay services are to commence on December 18 with tickets going on sale today. Cairns services, which re-launched in April, will be extended through next March.

Tiger has gradually expanded its network this year as it bounces back from a six-week safety grounding last year. The airline said Mackay came out on top of an online poll asking passengers where they wanted Tiger to fly next.

“Mackay is among Australia’s fastest growing regions, it is a key tourism destination in its own right and a fantastic gateway to the Whitsundays,” Tiger Australia CEO Andrew David said in a statement.

“We have also witnessed a strong demand for great value fares year round from the fly in, fly out (mining) sector. As the only low fare operator providing direct services, we’re confident that our new regular services between Melbourne and Mackay will prove popular.”