International low fare airline Tiger Airways has obtained formal approval from the Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) to proceed with the creation of its wholly owned subsidiary, Tiger Airways Australia.

The FIRB confirmed that the creation of Tiger Airways Australia was consistent with the Australian Government's foreign investment policy and did not place any specific conditions on the creation of the new airline.

Following the FIRB approval, Tiger Airways Australia will now work towards obtaining its Air Operator's Certificate from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in order to start domestic services in Australia later this year.

"I'm delighted that the FIRB has confirmed that it has no objection to the creation of Tiger Airways Australia. Tiger Airways Australia will now focus on obtaining the necessary AOC from CASA so that we can bring low, low fares to Australians as quickly as possible," said CEO Tony Davis.

"We are very encouraged by the support that we have received from so many communities across the country and the tens of thousands of Australians who have visited our website and voted for their preferred domestic routes." said CEO Tony Davis.

Mr Davis also said that Tiger Airways Australia is entering into final stages of negotiation with a number of Australian airports for location of its principal operating base.

A decision will be made within the next few weeks to confirm the Australian city where the airline will be based.

"It's great to see airports, cities and states getting behind the Tiger model. The support to bring Tiger to so many communities in Australia shows how keen Aussies are for low, low fares. Their enthusiasm for what we have to offer is matched only by our enthusiasm to deliver those low, low fares - consistently," Mr Davis said.

Tiger Airways will commence services to its second international destination in Australia when it starts flights between Singapore and Perth from March 23, 2007.