The Singapore-based low fare carrier Tiger Airways on Friday operated its virgin flight on the route from Singapore to Macao, which became the only flight connecting the two cities.

The airline company introduced an appealing price of 45 Hong Kong dollars (about US$6) one way. Tiger Airways' Airbus A320 fully occupied with passengers arrived at the Macao International Airport at 10:45 in the morning.

Tony Davis, CEO of Tiger Airways said that the company would fly between the cities five times a week. The future price fluctuation on the route would depend on the ticket sales. Tickets bought at the current price are valid for travel from Macao to Singapore between July 1 and Oct. 29.

Davis said that Macao is a strategic gateway for the company to service the Pearl River Delta region in south China, providing travelers in the region with an additional low cost travel option to Singapore. He considered the Macao International Airport an attractive base for low cost carriers.

Tiger Airways was the second low fare carrier landing in Macao after the Malaysia-based Air Asia, which opened its first route linking Macao with Bangkok last July.

The Macao International Airport is a relatively small-scale airport in south China, which handled 6 million passengers and 170,000 tons of cargo last year. It now has air links to 17 destinations.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2005)