Tiger to fly but claws are clipped

Posted 11/08/2011

Tiger Airways has been sent back to training school by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The six-week grounding of Tiger Airways Australia for safety reasons has ended with strong conditions.

Outlining the reasons for keeping Singapore-owned Tiger out of the air, CASA aviation safety director John McCormick said the safety authority found missing, incomplete and outdated documentation relating to pilot training, operational procedures and maintenance oversight among other problems.

All of Tiger's 110 pilots have been put through proficiency retraining in aircraft simulators, he said.

A small number of pilots failed aspects of the retraining, requiring them to undertake more remedial training.

Tiger will be forced to trim schedules and network to fly only 18 sectors a day (or nine return flights a day) for the rest of August, with any expansion subject to the safety agency's approval.

“Any failure to comply with these conditions will be taken seriously,” said McCormick, who added that he would be happy to fly on the airline now, and to put his family on board too.

Flights are expected to restart on Friday between Sydney and Melbourne.

By TravelMole Asia

Originally published 11 Aug 2011 at: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/398/f/5923/s/17463720/l/0L0Stravelmole0N0Cstories0C11488970Bphp0Dmpnlog0F1/story01.htm