In good news for the South Australian tourism industry Tiger Airways has unveiled plans to launch flights between Sydney and Adelaide from the end of next month with fares from as low as $48.

Shelley Robert, the managing director of Tiger Airways Australia said that while other airlines was going against the trend for airlines in Australia.

“While other airlines were streamlining their operations, we’re continuing to buck the trend,” she said.

“Tiger Airways is the fastest growing airline in Australia today, providing convenient and low-cost flights to our customers across Australia.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann says today’s announcement is perfectly timed with South Australia’s biggest ever tourism campaign running on the eastern seaboard.

“We are trying to lure busy professionals to our coastal playground for adventurous, fun and relaxing holidays through our $4.5m ‘Isn’t It About Time’ campaign.

“The introduction of Tiger Airways new low-cost flights from Sydney to Adelaide will give prospective holidaymakers more ways to reach South Australia. This is great news on the back of Tiger Airways’ new base opening at Adelaide Airport in March, generating 60 jobs in South Australia,” he said.

Roberts said that in the first quarter of 2009 Tiger Airways had recorded an 8.7 per cent increase in passenger numbers when compared with the same period last year. “Our capacity and load factors increased by 7.6 and 0.9 per cent, respectively.’

“Our new, low fare route will mean Sydney-siders have no excuse not to visit Adelaide and its beautiful attractions, such as the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.”

The new service is expected to provide an additional 2,520 seats each week and 131,040 annually.

Tiger Airways also recently announced a new service between Melbourne and Sydney, with up to four flights between destinations daily. Flights for this route will begin on 3 July 2009