ACCC delays ruling on Virgin takeover of Tiger

Tiger A320 VH-VNG at Sydney. (Seth Jaworski) — Virgin and Tiger have argued that the budget carrier cannot survive on its own. (Seth Jaworski)

Australia’s competition regulator has requested more information about Virgin Australia’s bid to buy Tiger Airways, delaying its decision on whether to approve the deal.

Virgin told its investors of the request last week but declined to say what information the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had asked for.

The ACCC had said a decision on the deal would likely come this week but is now likely to take until next month to issue its ruling.

Virgin and Tiger’s Singapore-based parent company have argued that Tiger cannot survive on its own and that consumers would be hurt if the budget carrier goes out of business.